The struggles continued for the Memphis Grizzlies, as they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-101 on Thursday night.
What started as a promising matchup for the Grizzlies came apart in the second half, where Cleveland outscored them 57-43.
Memphis had nine players out due to injury. They have fielded 28 different starting lineups this season, the most in the NBA. The Grizzlies’ roster for the night included center Trey Jemison, who was signed to a 10-day contract on January 30th.
Shortly before the game, it was announced via NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski that injured big man Steven Adams was being traded to the Houston Rockets for Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks. Adams has been sidelined for the entirety of the 2023-24 season after needing surgical repair of a sprained posterior cruciate ligament.
Back in FedExForum, Jaren Jackson Jr and various former members of the Memphis Hustle were facing off against all-star reserve Donovan Mitchell, Jarett Allen, and the rest of the Cavaliers. No disrespect intended to Vince Williams Jr, Santi Aldama, John Konchar, and Scotty Pippen Jr, but none of them are starting caliber players on a team with more options than this one has.
The Grizzlies took a seven-point lead into halftime, which was squandered in the third quarter and eliminated in the fourth, allowing the Cavaliers to overcome a 12-point deficit to win the game. In the second half, Memphis shot an abysmal 27.8% (5 of 18) from three-point range, and just 37.8% (17 of 45) overall.
In the postgame press conference, head coach Taylor Jenkins was asked about the ongoing trend of losing games in the fourth quarter: “We had a close one win against Toronto and Miami. We were able to come up with winning plays at the end on both sides of the floor. The last three games that we had, Indiana, Sacramento, and obviously tonight against Cleveland. Our ball movement has gotten a little bit stickier. … Attacking and touching that paint. We’re missing those opportunities a little bit over the course of the game, but especially that fourth quarter. We’ve got to create those rhythm shots inside out.”
By the Numbers:
Cleveland’s bench outscored Memphis’s second unit 43-23, and the Cavs were able to convert 13 Grizzlies turnovers into 19 points.
Jaren Jackson Jr had a team-high 25 points, plus 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.
Santi Aldama put up 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks, including shooting 4 of 7 from beyond the arc.
Vince Williams Jr closed out with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
From the bench: GG Jackson finished the night with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are back at it again tonight on the home court, facing off against the Golden State Warriors. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.
