Grizzlies pull starters in third quarter against Miami
Memphis loses on the road by 19-points
Usually it’s the Memphis Grizzlies putting up the big numbers in the third quarter, but on Wednesday night against the Miami Heat, the Grizzlies were on the other end. Big time.
Miami put up 42 points in the third quarter after already securing a 12-point halftime lead.
The 28-point deficit after three quarters was too big for Memphis to overcome in a 138-119 loss at Miami.
The Heat (38-33) used efficient offense and a tenacious defensive effort to keep the Grizzlies off balance and uncomfortable on offense. Three Grizzlies starters finished with three or more turnovers.
Memphis (41-27) had a three-game winning streak snapped. Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 25 points and nine rebounds.
The Grizzlies pulled their starters after trailing by 28 points at the third quarter. That allowed Ziaire Williams and Kenneth Lofton Jr. to get extended minutes in the fourth quarter. Williams put together an encouraging performance by scoring 12 points.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
Miami’s defense encourages 3-pointers
The Heat defense is known for sinking into the paint and making it tough for opponents to get comfortable looks inside. That aggressive style of play often leads to open 3-point attempts, and the Grizzlies had their chances on Wednesday. Memphis attempted more 3-pointers than field goals in the first half when it finished 7-for-25. That played right into the Heat’s hands.
It didn’t help when the Grizzlies’ top 3-pointer, Desmond Bane, was ejected midway through the third quarter after hitting Kevin Love in the groin area when attempting to dribble past the Heat defender. Bane finished with 11 points on 4for-11 shooting.
Luke Kennard got hot in the fourth quarter, so the Grizzlies’ overall 3-point shooting numbers weren’t bad, but Memphis shot 11-for-37 through the first three quarters.
Free-throw difference
The Heat didn’t look like a team ranked 19th in free throw attempts per game. Miami repeatedly got to the freethrow line throughout the game.
Specifically, it was forward Jimmy Butler who led the charge. He had 11 freethrow
attempts in the first half, while the Grizzlies had three as a team.
Butler finished with 23 points and 11 made free throws, while the Grizzlies finished the game with nine made free throws.
Jaren Jackson Jr. using his size
Jackson went to work early and often against an undersized Heat team. He pounded the ball into the paint and used left and right-handed floaters around the rim. He had a season-high six rebounds
in the first quarter and added 12 points.
Jackson had one of his better allaround performances this season. He knocked down four of seven 3-pointers and shot 10-for-15 overall.
What’s next
The Grizzlies will finish their threegame road trip with a game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday (6:30 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast). Memphis has won nine meetings in a row against the Spurs.