Grizz hang on for wire-to-wire win vs. Jazz
At shootaround Wednesday, Ja Morant said the Memphis Grizzlies could use a reset from a rough first half of the season. The way they played later that night, maybe time off is what’s needed.
A barrage of 3-pointers set an early tone. Morant had Fedexforum buzzing with a behind-the-back pass to Jaren Jackson Jr. for a dunk. Jackson’s defense returned from being absent in Boston on Sunday. But a short-handed Utah Jazz rallied to push Memphis in a closer-than-expected game.
On a night where Morant and Jackson received their All-star Game jerseys pregame, the Grizzlies relied on their duo to help hold off the Jazz for a 117-111 win. Here are three takeaways from the Grizzlies’ third win in four games.
Jackson bounces back
Foul trouble plagued Jackson in Boston on Sunday. There was no such trouble Wednesday as Jackson came out on fire with three blocks, four steals and a season-high four 3-pointers all in the first half.
His 16-point first half also surpassed his total against the Celtics (15 points). Jackson finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and a career-high five steals as he looked ready for his first All-star Game.
Second-half letdown
The Grizzlies came out inspired, shooting 7-of-11 on 3-pointers in the first half. They led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter but the Jazz started clawing back.
Despite All-star forward Lauri Markkanen being out and guard Collin Sexton only playing four minutes due to a hamstring injury, the Jazz cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter. But with the Grizzlies up 99-96, Morant and Brooks made consecutive 3-pointers to start a 12-4 run that gave some needed breathing room before the Jazz made one last push.
Morant finished with 20 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Desmond Bane added 24 points. Brooks had 11 points, his second consecutive game with double-digit scoring after a fivegame streak in single digits.
But the second-half struggles reminded why the Grizzlies have been shaky since their 11-game win streak ended.
Kennard’s home debut
Luke Kennard looked a bit more comfortable in his first home game with the Grizzlies. He was tentative early and not looking to shoot but he added a pair of 3-pointers, including one on a fastbreak pass from Morant.
It’ll take time for him to find his rhythm in learning the offense but the
Grizzlies are making an effort to get him comfortable in rotations with Morant and Tyus Jones. Kennard finished with nine points in 21 minutes.
Up Next
The Grizzlies are off until Feb. 23 when they travel to face the Philadelphia 76ers after the All-star break.