Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives ahead of Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday in Memphis, Tenn. (Brandon Dill/AP photo)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and Memphis pounded Milwaukee 142-101 on Thursday night.

Dillon Brooks added 18 points and Tyus Jones had 16 as eight Grizzlies scored in double figures. Memphis led from start to finish in its seventh straight win.

The Grizzlies opened a 50-point lead in the fourth quarter for the NBA’s largest advantage this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis led the Bucks with 19 points apiece before Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer emptied the bench late in the third quarter.

PURDUE ADDS BREES TO STAFF

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — When Ryan Walters was a high school quarterback, he wanted to replicate Drew Brees’ trailblazing career path.

Now, Brees seems to be following Walters.

One day after the 36-year-old Walters was introduced as Purdue’s coach, athletic director Mike Bobinski announced Brees would return to the campus in West Lafayette, Indiana, as an assistant coach to help the Boilermakers prepare for their Jan. 2 Citrus Bowl game against No. 17 LSU.

Following his retirement after the 2020 season, a 20-year career that included one Super Bowl title, Brees worked briefly as a broadcaster.

Now, he’s moving back to campus to help the short-handed Boilermakers (8-5). Four assistant coaches have already followed former Boilermakers coach Jeff Brohm to Louisville.

The 12-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl 45 MVP held NFL records for completions, completion percentage, yards passing and touchdown passes when he retired and was the first quarterback in league history with 12 consecutive 4,000-yard seasons and five 5,000-yard seasons.

CUBS FINALIZE DEAL WITH OF

CHICAGO (AP) — Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs finalized a $17.5 million, one-year contract.

Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, was cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov. 18 after the 27-year-old outfielder hit .210 with 19 homers, 150 strikeouts and a .654 OPS in 144 games last season. He figures to play center for the Cubs.

BOARD OKS MOVE TO B10

LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA cleared a major hurdle toward joining the Big Ten Conference in 2024, getting approval for the move from the University of California Board of Regents during a special meeting on campus.

The regents imposed conditions to mitigate the impact of the move on athletes, including UCLA investing an additional $12 million in nutritional support, mental health services, academic support while traveling and charter flights to reduce travel time.

EMU START SENTENCED

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — Eastern Michigan basketball star Emoni Bates was sentenced to 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge.

The conviction will be expunged from Bates’ record if he completes probation successfully, The Detroit News reported.

HYATT DECLARES FOR NFL DRAFT

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — All-America wide receiver Jalin Hyatt will watch his sixth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers play No. 10 Clemson in the Orange Bowl from the sideline after announcing he is leaving after his junior season for the NFL draft.

Hyatt led the nation with 15 touchdown catches and topped the Southeastern Conference averaging 5.6 catches and 105.6 yards per game, finishing with 1,267 yards receiving. He is third nationally in total yards receiving and set the school record for TD catches in a season.