It’s become a predictable pattern for the Memphis Grizzlies: two to three quarters of effective, winning basketball in a four-quarter game. When your starting lineup consists largely of second-string caliber players, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that your team is struggling against top-tier teams, and for anyone following the Grizzlies this year, Wednesday night’s 110-101 loss to the Timberwolves was no surprise.
The first half saw the Grizzlies out in front by a slim margin and taking a three-point lead into the second half. Going by the box score, there are two improvements over the last few games that stand out: getting more shot attempts than their opponent and grabbing more offensive rebounds.
Memphis went into halftime with 14 more field goal attempts than Minnesota, and with 12 offensive rebounds to their opponent’s zero. This is the opposite of what we saw from the Grizzlies in the first half of their recent game against the Brooklyn Nets, where the Nets took a 16-point lead into halftime while having 16 more field goal attempts and 5 offensive rebounds to the Grizzlies zero.
Fourteen was the magic number for the Grizzlies, as they ended the night with 14 more field goal attempts. They also gave up a 14-point lead, allowing the Timberwolves to begin their surge in the third quarter and finish it in the fourth, led by Anthony Edwards, who put up 25 of his 34 points in the second half.
Despite getting off more shot attempts overall and from three-point range, Memphis was outshot by Minnesota in field goal percentage (49.4% to 38.7%) and from beyond the arc (40% to 29.7%).
Jaren Jackson Jr led the Grizzlies with 33 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block.
Jackson amassed 19 points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
Ziaire Williams who put up 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. Vince Williams Jr finished the night with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
Santi Aldama closed out with 11 points as well as 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Jordan Goodwin, who came to the Grizzlies on a 10-day contract in mid-February and was recently signed to a two-way contract, contributed 5 points, 8 rebounds, a game-high 8 assists, and 2 steals.
From the second unit, GG Jackson put up 14 points and 3 rebounds on 5 of 7 shooting overall and 2 of 4 from three-point range.
Who Got Next?
The boys in Beale Street Blue are returning to their home court to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in back-to-back games on Friday, March 1st, and Saturday, March 2nd. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST for both games.
