The Memphis Grizzlies opened their season with a 111-104 loss against the New Orleans Pelicans, primarily due to being beaten on the boards and a poor shooting performance.
Season openers have traditionally been like kryptonite for the Beale Street bullies — and rebounding is their Achilles heel right now. The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant (league suspension), Steven Adams (season-ending knee surgery), Brandon Clarke (Achilles tendon repair), and Santi Aldama (ankle sprain).
It wasn’t all bad. Opening night saw the return of favorite sons, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. Accompanied by The Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Allen and Randolph introduced the starting lineup for the young cubs.
Newly signed Derrick Rose, who played college ball at the University of Memphis, also made his return to the Grindhouse with the loudest pop of the night.
Rose contributed eight points and three assists in 15 minutes as a reserve.
It was a frustrating night. Every time an attack was mounted by the Grizzlies, the Pelicans countered. It could to be a long season without Adams on the boards.
Three-point shooting hurt the Grizzlies (27.9%) while it was solid for New Orleans (43.8%).
After the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said, “Obviously, we’re going to feel out our lineups and stuff, but I’m very confident this group can get going once we get our chemistry up and running”
Desmond Bane had an All-star performance, leading the way with 31 points, five rebounds, and five assists. “Chemistry is everything and building that takes time,” said the TCU alum on the different rotations.
Xavier Tillman, Sr. held his own against the Pelicans front line. He secured his first double double of the season with 17 points, 12 rebounds, plus four assists, and three steals.
Newcomer Marcus Smart added 17 points, three assists, and two steals. After the loss, Smart said, “It definitely wasn’t the result we wanted, but I’ve never seen a championship won in the first game. We have 81 games left.”
Smart also chimed in about building chemistry: “For us and for me personally, it’s important to continue to find these guys and continue to build confidence in my guys. We had a lot of shots there that just didn’t go in for us, both in the paint and outside the paint. And for me, we have a bunch of young guys who continue working, and every day I’m in the gym and seeing them work, I have to continue to find them and give them the confidence that they need to keep going because we’re going to need everybody.”
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson, Jr., had a poor shooting night, going 2 of 9 from the field, but made up for it with dogged defense. blocking five shots, and doing the little things down low defensively; fighting for position against Jonas Valanciunas and Zion Williamson is a tall task. Jackson finished with eight points and five rebounds.
Except for David Roddy (9 points) and Rose, the bench hardly contributed. There are still things to figure out with new teammates and new lineups this season. As Smart said, no championship is won in the first game.
Up Next:
The reigning NBA Champions, Denver Nuggets come to town Friday night, with an early 6 pm tip-off at FedExForum.
