Like many recent games, this one went completely off the rails in the second half. With a final score of 125-96, the Memphis Grizzlies got played off the court Saturday night by a Chicago Bulls team that took advantage of their every mistake.
Let’s get into it.
Memphis got off to a slow start and carried that struggle throughout the game. In addition to outscoring the Grizzlies in all four quarters, the Bulls got off 16 more shots overall (91 FGAs vs 75 FGAs), scored 15 points off 16 Memphis turnovers, and outrebounded the Grizzlies 52-32.
The highlight of the night for the Grizzlies came when center Steven Adams appeared for the pregame shoot-around and joined the team on the bench for the first time this season.
Adams appeared in two preseason games for Memphis before it was announced that he would undergo season-ending surgery on his right knee for a sprained posterior cruciate ligament after a summer of non-operative rehab was unsuccessful. The initial injury happened in January 2023 and caused Adams to miss the remainder of last season and the playoffs. Between Adams’ injury and big man Brandon Clarke’s torn left Achilles tendon in March 2023, the Grizzlies have struggled without two of their best frontcourt players.
Their absence has left a heavy load for Jaren Jackson Jr to carry, and despite the Grizzlies’ record this season, Jackson has risen to the occasion, averaging a career-high 21.7 points per game.
Regarding Saturday’s game against the Bulls, Jackson Jr was once again dominant, with a game-high 26 points. But it was not enough to overcome the Grizzlies’ struggles with shooting and ball-handling.
Chicago’s bench unit not only outscored Memphis 56-35, but they were only five points shy of the Grizzlies starters, who put up just 61 points. Former Grizzly Jevon Carter put in 12 points for the Bulls’ second unit.
By The Numbers:
Jaren Jackson Jr closed out with a game-high 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.
Followed by Luke Kennard who finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists, including shooting 4 of 7 from three-point range.
Vince Williams Jr also had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 3 of 6 from beyond the arc.
David Roddy led the bench with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists.
GG Jackson contributed 10 points while shooting 2 of 2 from beyond the arc.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will continue their four-game road trip by heading north to face off against the Toronto Raptors on Monday, January 22nd. Tip-off is at 6:30 CST.
