The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns Monday night 120-118 and swept the season series.
Missing players due to injury is nothing new for the Grizzlies this season. The depth of their roster has been a key factor in maintaining a position near the top of the Western Conference, and it was their depth that allowed them to beat a Phoenix team led by Kevin Durant, one of the best big men in the league.
With Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey all sidelined, Jay Huff went from DNP-CD in seven of the past ten games to the starting lineup, and to his credit, he rose to meet the moment.
Getting down in the first half and struggling to regain a lead in the second half has been an unfortunate, ongoing trend for this Grizzlies team; they now have a league-leading 16 double-digit comebacks.
Phoenix opened the game shooting 50% from beyond the arc, allowing the Suns to build an early lead. Kevin Durant led the charge, putting up 14 points in the first quarter on 4 of 5 shooting from three-point range alongside former Grizzly Tyus Jones’ 2 of 2 from beyond the arc.
Jones was not the only former player who tormented the Grizzlies from long range in the first half; Grayson Allen shot 2 of 2 from beyond the arc in the second quarter.
The Grizzlies looked a lot better offensively in the second quarter. They outscored the Suns 31-25 in the period, cutting Phoenix’s 16-point lead to two points at the half.
The Grizzlies’ bench was nearly as productive as their starters in the first half, outscoring the Suns’ second unit 28-13. Shoutout to rookie Cam Spencer’s 11-point second quarter.
Spencer scored a career-high 16 points, but his most entertaining contribution to the game was the double technical fouls between him and Kevin Durant after Spencer’s three-point buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter.
Real talk — Cam Spencer barking at Kevin Durant is kind of a whole mood, and I am very much here for it.
The Suns never trailed in the first half, and the Grizzlies didn’t see their first lead until early in the third quarter after they scored six straight to open the period.
Ja Morant scoring double-digit points in the fourth quarter is becoming a regular occurrence, and his explosive playmaking has been a difference-maker down the stretch. The Grizzlies need Morant at his best as they close out the season.
By The Numbers:
Ja Morant led the team with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 9 of 13 overall and a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.
GG Jackson and Jay Huff joined the starting lineup and made a big impact offensively:
Jackson finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals on 6 of 12 overall shooting.
Huff closed out with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 5 of 11 overall shooting and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.
Desmond Bane put up 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.
Cam Spencer led the second unit with a career-high 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals while shooting 5 of 9 overall and 4 of 7 from three-point range.
Scotty Pippen Jr. added 13 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
Lamar Stevens closed out with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block while shooting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will play at home for their next three games, starting with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT.
