Thanks to an outstanding fourth quarter led by the bench unit, the Memphis Grizzlies once again defeated the Dallas Mavericks by a final score of 112-108.
For those of you not keeping score at home, Monday night’s game was the third meeting between these two teams in the past nine days, with the first and last being on the Grizzlies’ home court, weirdly enough, with the same final score for both games.
There is a lot to talk about, happenings both on and off the court.
Let’s get into it.
First and foremost, a Ja Morant update:
Morant has officially served out his league issued 8-game suspension and was allowed to return to team activities Monday, March 20th. His presence on the bench was sorely missed by his teammates and fans alike. Morant did not play Monday, but could return as soon as Wednesday, March 22nd.
Dallas was still missing its star player, Luka Doncic, but Memphis was without Ja Morant, Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke, and still managed to come back from 16 points down.
Kyrie Irving was back on the court and leading the Mavs’ offense, until falling flat in the fourth quarter, allowing for the Grizzlies to mount their epic comeback. Arguably Irving’s finest moment of the night came after the game, sharing words and a heartfelt embrace with Ja Morant.
Kyrie Irving answered multiple comments postgame regarding Ja Morant:
On exchanging words with Ja Morant after the game:
“I don’t really want to share what I told him, but when I embrace or hug guys after the game, it’s usually out of respect and genuine love and authenticity of just having relationships that extend off the court with our families, and we really look out for each other. I can’t say everybody in the league, but there are guys where we have great developed brotherhood and sisterhood with our girls in the W[NBA], and we just want to see each other do well. I think I said it the other day, which is nothing personal with Dillon [Brooks], when I was on the court. He’s one of my brothers as well that I look at from afar. When I was on the court, everything feels personal, but it’s not really, and I think that’s just the art of basketball for years upon years, that we’re joining in guys, kind of trying to get themselves motivated. But other than that, we really protect each other off the court, and they didn’t want to see me get injured, so that’s why I didn’t feel like it was on purpose.”
Advice for Ja Morant dealing with harsh spotlight:
“Yeah, I believe any hardship in life builds character and when you’re dealing with particular hardships in the public eye, especially with the media being attracted to just keeping up with what we’re doing or what’s the next kind of grab or story. I don’t want to assume anything by every media member, but that’s just the way it seems for me and my perspective. I wished him well wishes, and I just pray for his peace of mind. That’s all I really care about in this thing. Basketball is one thing, but peace of mind is everything. So, I’m happy to see him out there today.”
And now back to the game.
Memphis played like garbage in the first three quarters, unable to execute on offense or defend without fouling. The Grizzlies were somehow only down by only three at halftime, despite Jaren Jackson Jr having three fouls and the bench being outscored by Dallas’ bench 23-11.
This season, the Grizzlies lead the league in third-quarter scoring and are last in the league in fourth-quarter scoring. The opposite of this was true Monday night. After being outscored 36-26 in the third quarter, the Grizzlies put up 29 points in the final frame while holding the Mavs to only 12 points, and Kyrie Irving, specifically, to 0 of 8 shooting.
It isn’t all rainbows and sunshine for the Grizzlies despite the win. Dillon Brooks in very Dillon Brooks fashion acquired his 18th technical foul and will be suspended for Wednesday night’s game against the Rockets.
Brooks is one of the best lockdown defenders in the league but his sometimes reckless style of play has earned him an unfavorable reputation, to put it diplomatically. His propensity for boneheaded antics is frustrating.
That frustration is apparent in Head Coach Taylor Jenkins postgame comments on Dillon Brooks’ ongoing foul troubles. (Emphasis mine.)
“It’s a growth opportunity for him. He hasn’t been to this level. If this ends up sticking, it’s another suspension. He understands it. It’s a hard process with how competitive he is. I think he recognized that this one was too much for sure. He gets so fired up in the game and that gets him going. He gets animated. He gets chirping. He gets talking. He gets flexing out there, all that stuff, but he’s got to control a little bit better. He and I talk about that stuff. He recognizes it. There’s a responsibility to the team. We need him out there. He’s so important to what we do. So, hopefully he learns from this one. I think when he comes back, if there is a suspension, it’d be 10 games left in the regular season that we’re going to need him.”
By The Numbers:
Jaren Jackson Jr had a team-high 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block in addition to the five fouls that kept him benched for most of the second half.
Desmond Bane finished the night with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists but struggled from distance, shooting just 1 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Tyus Jones closed out with 16 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The bench unit was largely responsible for the epic fourth quarter comeback, scoring 21 of 29 points in the final frame.
Santi Aldama had a career night with 22 points and 14 rebounds, with 6 of 12 field goal shooting and 8 of 9 from the free throw line.
Luke Kennard also had a good night off the bench, finishing with 10 points and 4 rebounds.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies continue their homestand Wednesday night when they face off against the Houston Rockets. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT.
