GRIZZLIES LOSE 19TH STRAIGHT
Tyreke Evans returns; Grizzlies now tied for the second-longest losing streak in franchise history
The ovation was loud when Tyreke Evans was announced as the first Grizzlies starter before Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls.
Evans sat out the previous 10 games due to a rib injury and with the team mired in the NBA's longest losing streak this season, any potential spark to stop the bleeding was needed.
Evans scored at team-high 25 points and the Grizzlies collectively responded with some of their most inspired play in recent games. Yet the end proved the same with Chicago winning 111-110 after Antonio Blakeney converted two of three free throws with 1.8 seconds left.
JaMychal Green nearly ended the streak with a tip-dunk, but the shot came after the buzzer sounded. The heartbreak didn't make it any easier that the Grizzlies' 19th consecutive loss tied the second-longest streak in franchise history with the 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies.
Evans gave the Grizzlies something they lacked in recent weeks: steady distribution from the guard spot.
He had four assists in the first quarter and the Grizzlies led 23-15 before he went to the bench.
Evans finished with nine assists. Marc Gasol added to the passing frenzy with eight assists to go along with his 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Dillon Brooks came out firing in the first with 13 points, but the rookie forward finished with 15 points and struggled to find his shot after once again giving the Grizzlies an early boost.
The Grizzlies picked up the scoring slack with balance. Jarell Martin had 16 points and JaMychal Green added another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulls took control going inside early on and marched to the foul line. They made 26 of 33 free throws, none bigger than Blakeney's two at the end of the game. Christian Felicio added a pair in the final minute to put the Bulls up 109-108 before Martin gave the Grizzlies back the lead.
Aside from a strong third quarter from Deyonta Davis, the Grizzlies bench was mostly silent. They were outscored 63-18.
When Marc Gasol went to the bench in the third after picking up his fourth foul, Davis came in and quickly scored four points. He added a boost with his rebounding but the rest of the bench was mostly ineffective.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will host the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum on Saturday. They last met on March 2 with Denver winning 108-102 and five Grizzlies starters scored in double figures, led by Gasol's 22 points. The game will conclude the Grizzlies' three-day homestand before beginning a three-game road trip.