Quick Recap: Grizzlies Start Week With Loss, Fall to Nets 111-86

The Brooklyn Nets came into the FedEx Forum riding a 4 game losing skid, facing the Grizzlies on 2 days rest after a competitive game with the Clippers. The trip to Memphis was just what Brooklyn needed as they downed the home team 111-86. This is the first win for Brooklyn in Memphis since 2019 and the Grizzlies failed to reach 100 points for the 13th time this season. It was all Brooklyn from the tip and the Grizzlies could never find their rhythm on either end of the court.

First Quarter

Brooklyn quickly jumped out to an early 7 point lead at the first timeout taken by Taylor Jenkins. The Grizzlies looked out of sorts, lost, and sloppy on both ends. The home team was hard to watch from the beginning, showing no signs of life despite the 2 days of rest after Friday night’s home clash with the Clippers. The Grizz, coming into the game as the 29th ranked shooting team (44% from the floor) found nothing early except a tight rim, shooting 35.8% for the quarter. With the Grizzlies down 10, GG provided some of the only signs of life for Memphis.

The Grizzlies found themselves down 30-18 after the first frame, in a night that would only get much worse. Then Nets outscored the home team 16-6 in the paint, getting to the rim anytime they wanted including 7 fast break points. Meanwhile, the consistent ball movement we have seen from Memphis lately was no where to be found as they finished the quarter with only 4 assists.

Second Quarter

Same song and dance as Brooklyn continued its dominance in the second frame. The Nets built that 12 point lead to 20 with 5 minutes to go, forcing Taylor Jenkins to call another time out. During the timeout, Rob Fischer reported coach told the team to not hang their heads if they wanted to climb back in the game. Brevin Knight commented that the team needed to turn off the scoreboard mentally and find a way to play their game. Unfortunately, neither would get their wish. The Nets were all feast and no famine in the second quarter, leading by 26 points at the break. The 26 point halftime deficit was the second largest the Grizzlies have faced this year, second only to the 33 point lead by Utah. The Grizzlies were completely out of sorts and nothing like the team we have seen over the last few games. The home team had 0 second chance points and only 4 transition points at halftime. The Nets were paced by the recently acquired Dennis Schroder with 12 at the break. Meanwhile, not a single Memphis player was in double figures at halftime. Jaren was the closest with 8 points but on 1-5 shooting from the floor. Ugly basketball would continue for the rest of the game for Memphis.

Third Quarter

Forgive me if I bore you, but Brooklyn continued to methodically dismantle anything the Grizzlies tried to do. The Nets absolutely could not miss, while the Grizzlies’ engine remained completely turned off. It was truly one of the least competitive games the Grizzlies have played this calendar year. The Nets continued their dominance inside, exploiting the soft interior defense of Memphis, with 36 points in the paint at the 5:00 timeout taken by Coach Jenkins. In a night of very little to hang your hat on, Lamar Stevens quietly had a big game finishing the third with 8 points on 4-4 shooting from the field. Stevens influenced both ends of the floor, highlighted by an emphatic put back dunk.

Unfortunately for the home fans, Stevens’ efforts weren’t enough when 4 of the 5 Nets starters were in double figures by the time third quarter horn sounded. Jaren sat at just 2-10 shooting but pacing the Grizzlies with 15 points. Luke hit 2 of 3 from downtown through the first 3 quarter.

Fourth Quarter

The 4th quarter was highlighted by Lamar Stevens once again scoring on 3 straight possessions and getting a rebound on 4 straight to start the quarter. Stevens would finish with 17 points, leading all Grizzlies, and 6 boards coming off the bench in one of his more productive games since coming over from Boston in the Xavier Tillman trade. Jake LaRavia quietly had 10 off the bench on 40% shooting. Jaren finished another rough shooting night going 2-12 from the field and 1-2 from 3, scoring 15 points. Luke Kennard was the only other Memphis player in double figures with 11 points. All 5 Brooklyn starters finished in double figures with Schroder pacing the visiting team with 18 points. Memphis once again failed to be competitive in a game they hypothetically could have been in late. In this development season, we will chalk this up to growing pains and get ready to head to Minnesota for Wednesday night’s clash. The few remaining fans in FedEx forum were treated to a late Yuta Watanabe coast to coast slam to close out the otherwise abysmal night.

Memphis will look to right the ship after this 111-86 home loss to Brooklyn by traveling to Minnesota to face the Western Conference leading Timberwolves at 7:00 pm on Bally Sports.