The Grizzlies ended a two-game road trip with a big loss to the Timberwolves. In a throwback to the first game in their playoff series last year, the refs were whistle-happy, and the Grizzlies played sloppy basketball.
Let’s get into it.
This might have been the worst game of the season so far for this Memphis team. The only reason it wasn’t worse was that Minnesota couldn’t convert on most of Memphis’ twenty-seven turnovers. Twenty. Seven. Turnovers. The Grizzlies had ten more turnovers than assists at the end of the night.
And then there were the free throws. As a team, Memphis shot 18 of 30 from the foul line. 60% free throw shooting is bad enough but leaving 12 points on the table in a game you lost by 8 points is embarrassing.
I don’t know what the answer is to the Grizzlies’ free throw shooting woes, but it has become a glaring problem that needs to be solved.
Here is a (not) fun fact: Last night’s game is just the second time since 1994 that an NBA team has lost a game in regulation in which they had 30 or more rebounds than their opponent. It was also only the second time in NBA history that a team lost a game in which they had 30 or more rebounds and 10 or more free throw attempts than their opponent. WOOF. (h/t to Shawn Coleman/@StatsSAC for these fun factoids.)
By The Numbers:
Ja Morant had a team-high 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Jaren Jackson Jr finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Tyus Jones and David Roddy each scored 13 points, combining for 26 of the 34 points from the bench.
On to the next one.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will return home to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, December 2nd. It will be the first game back in Memphis for former Grizzly De’Anthony Melton. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.
