Categories
Uncategorized

Grizzlies Win Fourth Straight Game

The Memphis Grizzlies invoked the “Call 12” mantra (Ja Morant) while joining forces with Memphis-10 (Luke Kennard to seal a thrilling 122-115 victory over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night, stretching their winning streak to four games.

At the half, Memphis was up by 14 points but Utah came storming back to make it a contest in the second half. 

Collin Sexton converted on a jumper to put the Jazz ahead 115-114 with 1:16 remaining, but the Grizzlies swiftly regained the lead as Luke Kennard drained a crucial three-pointer. Morant then delivered the finishing blow, knocking down another three to extend the Grizzlies’ advantage to 120-115 with only 12 seconds left.

Memphis converted 20-of-44 from beyond the arc (.455), including 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter. 

Kennard led the Grizzlies with career-high tying 30 points on 11 of 14 from the field including 7 of 9 from three. After the game, he talked about the importance of being aggressive — more active on both ends of the court, focusing on rebounding, creating deflections, and finding his rhythm early in the game.

Morant’s 28-point, seven-assist performance helped Memphis improve its season record to 42-24.

The All-Star guard acknowledged that the game against the Jazz wasn’t easy, despite their record. He emphasized that every NBA player deserves respect, and that the Jazz players came to play hard. Morant noted that his team had to lock in and stay focused after the Jazz cut into their lead, before ultimately securing the win.

Desmond Bane provided a strong all-around effort with 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a boost off the bench, contributing 11 points, six assists, and a team-high four steals.

Roster News

The Grizzlies announced that forward Lamar Stevens was signed for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old has been helping off the bench and scored a season-high 13 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, in a win on March 10 vs Phoenix. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies face a formidable challenge as they host the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, March 15, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm at FedExForum. Cleveland currently is on a 15-game winning streak. 

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Bane Propel Grizzlies to Win Over Pelicans

The Memphis Grizzlies edged out the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans 107-104 in a closely contested matchup Sunday night.

The Grizzlies are gaining momentum, having won two consecutive games after a dismal 1-4 performance on their recent 5-game homestand. The slump caused them to drop from second to fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Memphis dominated on the glass against New Orleans, grabbing 57 rebounds and scoring 24 second-chance points versus New Orleans’ 39 rebounds and 11 second-chance points.

The Grizzlies faced a 65-57 halftime deficit after surrendering 37 points in the second quarter. However, they regrouped and limited the Pelicans to just 15 points in the third quarter, seizing an 89-79 advantage heading into the final period.

Ja Morant had a standout performance, leading Memphis with 32 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Morant has now scored 30-plus points in his last two games. His season average is 21.2 points per game.

In a post-game interview with FanDuel Sports Network’s Rob Fischer, Ja Morant noted that despite the win, there are still areas where his team needs to improve.

 “Just came out with more energy,” Morant said of the third quarter difference. “We just once again man — our first half, we just be giving up easy baskets, not really engaged, locked in defensively, and then it takes a little wake up call, which is unacceptable for us. We got to be locked in as soon as the ball goes up in the air and so we won’t be in situations like this.”

Morant also acknowledged a slight improvement in the team’s defense, but emphasized that there is still significant room for growth and that they cannot be satisfied with their defensive performance over the last two games.

Desmond Bane put on a show, falling just shy of a triple-double with 30 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, as Memphis improved  to 40-24 on the season. 

Morant sang the praises of his backcourt partner, Bane.

“Very impressive — but I know the work he put in. I know the situations and the talks we have with each other. He’s built for it. And he’s showing it, night in and night out, as you saw tonight. 

Morant continued, “He filled up the stat sheet. I think it was a couple off, triple-double again and that’s big-time play for us, a will to win. We have a guy like that.part of leading the charge and everybody else follows. So we just got to continue to keep grinding, keep going, keep getting better and just play hard.”

Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

The Grizzlies will host the Phoenix Suns Monday night at FedExForum, kicking off a four-game homestand. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Ja Morant Has to Be Unapologetically Ja

The Memphis Grizzlies are on a four-game losing streak after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-103 on Wednesday night. This loss comes after a tough home stand, where they went 1-4.

The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last nine games, dropping them to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 38-24 record.

Ja Morant candidly expressed his frustration with his performance in his return game against the Thunder, conceding that he probably shouldn’t have played due to health concerns. However, he also seemed resigned to the fact that his injuries have been an ongoing issue all season, and his focus remains on securing wins despite these challenges. Morant’s lack of availability has been a persistent concern, and his inability to play more than five consecutive games remains an issue.

Every statement made by the 25-year-old will be subject to intense examination and analysis. 

However, the message conveyed in response to adversity is crucial.

“Just stay strong, stay with it,” Morant said in the locker room after the loss against OKC. “It’s a long season — we’ve got a couple more games left. Just lock in. Get guys back healthy and go back to playing our basketball.”

He went on to say, “We’ve been through the whole season together. Ups and downs, hard practices, traveling on the road, fatigue. But, we always seem to respond. So it’s no different from here.”

His parting message amidst the team’s current challenges, “Just continue to play with that energy and effort and continue to have your brothers’ back and trust in each other. That’s pretty much it.”

A pivotal moment from the iconic movie Remember the Titans features a tense confrontation between team captain Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell, both standout players. Gerry criticizes Julius for having the worst attitude he’s ever encountered. Julius retaliates with a sharp and piercing remark, “Attitude reflects leadership, captain,” implying that Gerry’s lack of accountability as a leader was the root cause of the team’s problems.

Memphis will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain that could have him out weeks. But the odds are in the Grizzlies’ favor with a focused Morant. 

Through 38 appearances, Morant is averaging 20.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. 

Make no mistake about it, Morant is still viewed as one of the NBA’s elite players, showcasing extraordinary skill and ability.

His presence on the court greatly improves the team’s performance, making them a more formidable team when he plays.

At this stage in the season, he just has to remind us who he is. Recently, Morant said his coach and teammates remind them to have positive body language, even when things are tough, which can be hard for a competitor like him.

After the overtime against the Phoenix on February 23rd, Morant disclosed that Desmond Bane’s vocal encouragement reminded him that his performance is the catalyst for the team’s energy and momentum, and urged him to simply be himself and play his natural game.

With 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Grizzlies face a critical stretch that will determine their playoff fate. To achieve a deep postseason run, as many fans relish, that leadership starts with Ja Morant. So the team needs Ja to be Ja.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Rebounding Woes Haunt Memphis in ‘The Land’

The stage was set for a thrilling showdown on Sunday night, and the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies delivered, engaging in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw the Cavaliers emerge victorious, 129-123.

The Cavaliers dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 57-37, including a staggering 22 offensive rebounds. This significant advantage led to 31 second-chance points, with 12 of those coming in the pivotal fourth quarter. To date, Cleveland has only lost four games at home this season. 

The game saw 11 lead changes and was tied up eight times, highlighting the intense competitive nature of the matchup.

Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins said that the team’s inability to limit Cleveland’s 22 offensive rebounds was a crucial factor in the loss. He noted that while Jarrett Allen had a few, it was a collective effort by the Cavaliers’ guards that hurt them. Jenkins added that he was proud of his team’s overall performance, acknowledging that they played exceptionally well in many areas against a top-ranked opponent: “Going against one of the best teams, if not the best team, in the league, and have that offensive performance. We scored 123 against the elite defense that they are.”

“You can’t give a team 31 freebies, second-chance points,” Jenkins continued. “We just didn’t have it, and that’s gonna be something we absolutely have to address. We have to own even more, because that can’t be an Achilles heel thing for us if we want to get where we want to get to.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. kept the Grizzlies in contention, pouring in a team-high 22 points in just 25 minutes of action. Foul trouble may have limited his playing time, but it couldn’t contain his fourth quarter dominance as evidenced by his 12-point outburst. Jackson Jr. also had four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot. 

Ja Morant turned in a strong  performance, contributing 21 points and 10 assists, although ultimately his team fell short, dropping to a 37-20 record. 

On the season, Morant is averaging 20.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. 

Luke Kennard made the most of his limited court time off the bench, delivering a productive 24-minute outing in which he scored 19 points on impressive 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range.

“I think the biggest thing for us was physicality, giving up a lot of offensive rebounds,” said Kennard after the game. “When you give up that many offensive rebounds to a really good team, they’ll make you pay for it. So we know that was the game for us. But yeah, we battled. We fought to the very end, and we gave ourselves a chance, just missed a couple shots, but we could definitely learn a lot from this.”

Up Next 

The Grizzlies are set to kick off a crucial five-game homestand, with their first challenge coming against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 pm CT. Memphis is 21-6 on its home floor. 

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Indiana Hands Grizzlies Second Straight Loss

The Memphis Grizzlies stumbled in their post-All-Star break debut, falling 127-113 to the Indiana Pacers. 

Memphis dominated early, opening Thursday’s game with a 12-2 surge and leading by as many as 13 points in the first quarter. 

However, their strong start was undone by a disastrous second quarter, where they gave up a franchise-record 50 points. The deficit proved insurmountable, ultimately leading to the Grizzlies’ second straight loss. 

The Pacers surged to their largest advantage of the game, 85-59, by opening the third quarter with seven consecutive points. However, Memphis countered with a 28-6 burst to narrow the deficit to four, 91-87. Indiana regained control with a decisive 14-4 run, re-establishing a comfortable lead with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with a well-rounded performance, scoring 23 points, and adding seven assists, five rebounds, and two blocks.

Jaren Jackson Jr. compiled an impressive stat line, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in a strong all-around showing. Yet, foul trouble hindered him in the final period. 

Jaylen Wells added 17 points and four rebounds as the Grizzlies fell to 36-18 on the season. 

The Grizzlies take on the Orlando Magic on the second night of a back-to-back at Kia Center on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. CT.

Tid-bits 

Memphis signed forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract. Stevens averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 games with the Grizzlies last season. Meanwhile, Memphis waived Johnny Davis who was acquired in a trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards. 

Categories
Uncategorized

Grizzlies Beat Suns in the Valley

The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Phoenix Suns, 119-112, in Phoenix, Tuesday night. After establishing a strong 36-26 lead in the first quarter, the Grizzlies maintained their advantage, fending off a determined Suns team that fought until the final buzzer. Memphis hasn’t lost consecutive games since January 3-4. 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins credited his team for responding well throughout the game, starting with a strong first quarter, fueled by defense. He noted that they withstood a second-quarter run by the Suns and, despite a tough third quarter, stayed focused and composed, ultimately staying the course as the game tightened to single digits.

“Guys were collected and composed in the timeouts — went out and executed,” Jenkins stated.

He said the team’s victory was due to their ability to make crucial defensive plays and quickly shift into a high-speed offense, especially in the final quarter. He went on to praise the reserves for their role and noted that the Suns’ intense defensive pressure required a sustained effort throughout the game.

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. The performance marked his 19th game this season with 20 or more points.

“Great, now we are starting to realize that when we are out there, when we see guys on the opposing team out there heavy breathing, leaning over, that is when we normally realize it and try to ramp it up,” said Morant when on the luxury of having a fully healthy team.

Morant continued, “We know how we train, how we are conditioned, and it is for 48 minutes. We know it is hard for teams to withstand us pushing the pace, us picking them up full court and being real physical. We just try to wear teams down and at the end of the day go get a win.”

Desmond Bane scored 20 points, shooting 6-of-13, and also contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists as Memphis improved to 36-17 on the season. The performance extended Bane’s streak of 20-point games to four and marked his 11th in the last 13 games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded a solid all-around performance with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Meanwhile, reserve Brandon Clarke made the most of his 19 minutes, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Santi Aldama paced the Grizzlies’ bench with 14 points and 5 five rebounds in 23 minutes, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Aldama got off to a scorching start, going 4-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the opening 12 minutes.

After the game, Aldama talked about the difference with the team now compared to two months ago. He said, “More experience together — guys stepping up when guys are locked in going into the All-Star break. There’s nothing different. Just playing better and putting the ball in the hoop.”

Up Next

The Grizzlies have a Western Conference showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night, marking their final outing before the All-Star break. The late-night matchup is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Close Out Raptors With Authority

The Memphis Grizzlies overcame a lackluster first half, trailing 59-53, with an explosive second-half performance, scoring a season-high 85 points, to dominate the Toronto Raptors, 138-107. The win extends their impressive run of 10 victories in their last 11 games and a current four-game winning streak.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge for the Grizzlies with 32 points on 62.5 percent shooting, complemented by five rebounds and four assists. This performance marked his third consecutive game with 30-plus points and his ninth straight game with 20-plus points, both career highs.

Ja Morant delivered a strong performance, scoring 26 points on 64.3 percent shooting, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He also exploded for 16 points in the third quarter, matching his season-high for points in a single quarter.

Morant and Jackson Jr. have now both scored 25-plus points in back-to-back games, highlighting their impressive offensive chemistry.

In his hometown NBA debut, Toronto native Zach Edey made history, logging a career-best third-consecutive double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Edey became the first Memphis Grizzlies rookie since Pau Gasol in 2002 to record three straight double-doubles, with Gasol having achieved four consecutive double-doubles that March and April.

GG Jackson II had an impressive outing as a reserve with 17 points and six rebounds as the Grizzlies improved to 35-16 on the season. 

Completing the team’s solid performance, Brandon Clarke scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, with Scotty Pippen Jr. adding 12 points and five rebounds.

The Grizzlies received a boost, as their injury list shrunk, with the return of Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr., both of whom had been sidelined.

The Grizzlies are gearing up to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum on Saturday, February 8th, at 7 p.m. CT. The highly anticipated matchup pits the top two teams in the Western Conference against each other.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Memphis Keeps Rolling; Beat Bucks for Seventh Straight Time

The Memphis Grizzlies moved to 33-16 with a 132-119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, securing their seventh win in eight games and a 2-0 season series sweep.

Memphis dominated the boards, outrebounding Milwaukee 61-36, with a 22-8 edge in offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies also held a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Bucks 66-36.

Memphis seized control of the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bucks 39-20. During this decisive period, the Grizzlies made 15 of their 27 shot attempts.

All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Memphis Grizzlies with 37 points, including 16 in the final period. This performance showcased his ability as one of the league’s top fourth-quarter scorers, where he ranks ninth with an average of seven points per game.

Jackson Jr. had a solid shooting performance, making 12 of his 26 field goal attempts and seven of his 13 three-pointers.

In the absence of star guard Ja Morant due to injury, the Grizzlies received significant contributions from others as Santi Aldama scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Desmond Bane also had a strong outing, posting 22 points and nine rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the field.

Zach Edey nabbed his sixth career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. had nine points, 10 assists — eight of which came in the final frame

Although GG Jackson II didn’t have a good shooting night, he did have a highlight block against Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Jackson II chipped in five points and eight rebounds. 

The  Grizzlies are back at FedExForum tonight, February 3rd, to take on the San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m. CT. Memphis has a 2-0 edge in the season series. 

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Get Crushed by Knicks

The Memphis Grizzlies struggled mightily against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks ended the Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a dominant 143-106 victory. 

The Grizzlies’ ball-control issues led to a season-high 26 turnovers, including 20 steals from the Knicks, which they capitalized on, scoring 36 points off turnovers.

New York also dominated Memphis in fast break points, outscoring them 31-9. The Knicks put up 83 points in the second half.  

Following the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins offered his assessment of the team’s performance. He said, “We didn’t have it for 48 minutes. Give the Knicks a lot of credit — they played great tonight. (I) thought their physicality was great. We had so many uncharacteristic moments in the game — defensively and offensively — definitely not our best tonight.”

Jenkins continued: “We were just out of sync from the very get-go. I mean, I thought their physicality was good, just some of our decision making was tough. And, we struggled finishing. So overall, give them credit, they played a great physical brand of basketball that we struggled with all night.” 

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 21 points, shooting 8 of 14 from the field, and added four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Prior to the game, Jackson Jr. earned his first-ever NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award. He guided the Grizzlies to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.  The All-Star candidate’s stellar week was highlighted by his excellent shooting, with a field goal percentage of 57.6%, a three-point percentage of 38.1%, and a free throw percentage of 82.6%.

Desmond Bane contributed 16 points and 4 assists, but struggled with ball control, committing a team-high 6 turnovers.

Ja Morant scored 10 points on 5-13 shooting with two assists in 27 minutes, a departure from what we are used to seeing from the superstar guard.

Zach Edey had a strong outing, tallying 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, just shy of a double-double. 

The Grizzlies are gearing up for a showdown with the Houston Rockets at FedExForum this Thursday, January 30th, at 8:30 p.m. CT. You can catch the action live on TNT. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, as both teams are vying for the second spot in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are currently 31-16, while the Rockets stand at 31-14.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Third Quarter Surge Powers Grizzlies to Fifth Straight Win

On Friday night at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies secured their fifth consecutive win, defeating New Orleans, 139-126, and halting the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak in the process.

Memphis improved to 30-15 on the season and 18-5 at FedExForum.  

The Pelicans ended the first half on a high note, going on a 15-2 run to take a 71-62 lead into the break. However, Memphis had other plans in the third period. 

The Grizzlies came out scorching in the second half, making their first 14 shots and erupting for 43 points in the third quarter on 17-of-22 shooting. They also dished out a season-best 13 assists in the quarter.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 29 points, highlighted by a 15-point outburst in the third quarter. He shot with precision, making 10 of 16 field goals and 5 of 9 three-point attempts and dished out a career-high-tying seven assists. 

Jackson Jr. said he believes the Grizzlies’ three-point shooting “opens it all up” and forces defenses to adjust. He praised teammates Luke Kennard, Jaylen Wells, and Desmond Bane for making smart passes, and also commended Wells for his consistent shooting.

Jackson Jr. credits the Grizzlies’ improved team flow for making Bane’s shots easier and more open. He also praised Kennard’s consistent shooting, noting that when Bane and Kennard are making shots, others contribute with good shooting nights.

Jackson Jr. said effective communication is essential to the Grizzlies’ defense, enabling players to stay alert and make informed decisions. He noted that the team is addressing defensive struggles by communicating loudly and attributed many of these issues to a lack of awareness, rather than a lack of effort.

Kennard had a standout performance, scoring 27 points and dishing out six assists. He shot impressively, converting 10 of 14 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers. Notably, Kennard has been on a hot streak from beyond the arc, making 14 of his last 20 three-point attempts over the past two games.

Following the game, the Duke alum shared his thoughts on his recent surge: “When you have the ball in your hands, you have to be even more focused trying to make the right play, being aggressive. And for me, I think Coach (Taylor Jenkins) knows if I have the ball in my hands, especially early in the game, (it) gets me going a little bit — gets me into a rhythm. So credit to Coach for just trusting me in that aspect, getting me going early and getting me involved in the game.”

Kennard recognized Ja Morant and Bane as the team’s primary ball handlers, and said that his focus is on being aggressive without the ball and making smart, aggressive decisions when he does get the opportunity to handle it.

Bane had another phenomenal game, tying his season high with 14 assists and adding 20 points. The performance marked his seventh consecutive game with 20+ points and his fourth double-double of the season. Bane’s consistent scoring and ability to facilitate for his teammates have been key factors in the Grizzlies’ success.

Bane pointed out that the Grizzlies’ newfound proficiency from beyond the arc has made opponents think twice about leaving players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant, or himself unguarded: “This creates opportunities for easy scores or open shots when defenses provide help.”

Rookie Zach Edey delivered a notable performance, securing his fifth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. His well-rounded effort also included three assists, one steal, and two blocks.

The Grizzlies are aiming to extend their winning streak to six games Saturday night, as they host the Utah Jazz at FedExForum, with tipoff at 7pm CT.