Insider Insights: Grizzlies Grab First Win of the Season in a Gritty Game against Blazers

HAMMER.NAIL.COFFIN. For the first time this season, boy, did it feel good to be able to say those three magnificent words once again. The Memphis Grizzlies secured their first win of the regular season against the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday evening and snapped an ugly six-game losing streak to get their season going in the right direction.

It wasn’t an ideal start. Portland started hot from three, and the Grizzlies found themselves in a 10-2 hole. Sloppy basketball and turnovers were the story for most of the first quarter as the deficit grew to double digits. Then, a spark of magic occurred as the bench unit led a miraculous turnaround. 16 bench points, including back-to-back three-pointers from Luke, brought the Grizzlies to within two after the first period, 32-30. In the second quarter, the intensity picked up for both teams as the game started going back and forth more. Suddenly, the Grizzlies got into their offense and went on a 16-5 run to lead at halftime, 63-55. 

The start of the second half mirrored the first. The Grizzlies let the Blazers get off to a fast start, and they cut down the Grizzlies’ lead to one. It would open up a scoring barrage from Portland as the Grizzlies were outscored 31-19 in the third quarter; Memphis quickly found itself down 86-82. Things seemed bleak going into the fourth, but suddenly, the Grizzlies turned it back on. They went on a 9-0 run to bring it to within three with about five minutes left, thanks to big shots from Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart. It was the Jaren Jackson Jr show from then on, as a thunderous dunk followed by a tip hook shot by the Michigan State big man led to the Grizzlies getting back the lead. Memphis never went back down from then on as they closed out the game, 112-100. All it takes is one win to pick things back up. Let’s hope this is the start of something great. 

Bismack Biyombo is the Big the Grizzlies Sorely Needed 

There’s no question that losing Steven Adams for the season is nothing short of a soul-crushing loss for the Grizzlies. For a frontcourt already missing Brandon Clarke due to an Achilles injury, not having a critical offensive hub and one of the best rebounders in the game on top of that poses a relevant question of whether the season is still salvageable. An 0-6 start only added fuel to the raging inferno of a heated fanbase, many of whom began to wonder if the Grizzlies could ever play winning basketball again.

Enter Bismack Biymobo. Signed to the active roster just a few days ago, the 31-year-old Congolese big man entered the starting lineup instead of a late-scratched Xavier Tillman; he made a monumental impact on the game. It was evident from the opening tip that Biyombo brought exactly what was missing from the Grizzlies’ frontcourt: screen-setting, strong rebounding on the offensive and defensive glass, relentless rim protection, and high-powered hustle and energy on both ends that stifled the opposing centers. His ability to act as a secondary playmaker on the high and low posts opened up the floor for the Grizzlies and provided more options for their offensive pieces. He showcased this on plays such as a dribble hand-off action leading to a Desmond Bane triple as well as a high screen leading to another Bane three-point make. 

Biyombo finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks on 50% shooting from the field. His fingerprints were all over the game, and his ability to make high-IQ plays down low was crucial in leading the Grizzlies to their first victory. It was a delightful Grizzlies debut for the big man, sweetened even further by the fact that he has only been able to practice with the team for a few days. No, Bismack Biyombo will not replace Steven Adams, but if last night’s win was any indication of future play, he will build his own unique identity moving forward that helps the Grizzlies play gritty, winning basketball. 

(Finally), the Bench Showed up Big Time

A big reason for the Grizzlies’ early struggles this season has been poor bench play. Between the injuries and lack of shotmaking, the Grizzlies’ bench has been tested and unable to support their big-name stars, Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane. That was not the case last night in Portland. It all started with Kenneth Lofton Jr., who was a bright spot early on when the Blazers developed their first double-digit lead of the night. He scored five early points that included a breathtaking two-way sequence.

“Cool Hand” Luke Kennard’s return to form was also a much-needed element of this comeback victory. Kennard got off to a very hot start in the first half going 3-for-5 from three, ultimately finishing with 15 points on 4/6 shooting from deep and 5/9 shooting from the field. His ability to space the floor, along with the return of Santi Aldama from an ankle injury, opened up driving lanes for the Grizzlies’ stars and helped quell the Blazers’ runs in both halves of basketball with the ability to match their red-hot shooting. The Memphis bench collectively scored 25 points in the first half, outsourcing Portland’s bench 25-6, and had eight assists compared to zero turnovers, constantly swinging the ball around to get high-percentage looks all across the floor. 

The bench showed up when it was desperately needed tonight and provided what’s necessary, a quick offensive punch. They must keep it going as the Grizzlies face a gauntlet of a schedule these next few games. 

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Continue to Step Up as Stars

Since Ja Morant’s suspension was announced, there has been talk about just how effective franchise building blocks Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane would be in the first 25 games without the team’s superstar point guard. It’s safe to say that not only have they answered the call, they have picked up the phone and shattered the landline with their dominance as a young star duo. Jaren Jackson Jr. had an unbelievable scoring spurt in the second quarter, scoring ten points in just two and a half minutes to ignite a double-digit run that gave the Grizzlies a formidable lead at the half. He bullied his way into the paint on multiple drives and utilized different spin moves and dribble packages to pick apart defensive walls for buckets or fouls. In the second half, it was more of the same for the monstrous unicorn. He kept his composure on the court and scored nine of his 27 points on the night, including a sequence of plays that gave the Grizzlies control of the game back.

Desmond Bane delivered everywhere on the floor as he typically has been doing this season, but the second half is where he turned his clutch gene on. What has probably been the most impressive aspect of Bane’s all-star-level season so far is his ability to make shots with a high degree of difficulty, which he did frequently in his nine-point first half; he operated as more of an off-ball threat and bucket-getter. The TCU guard was sensational in the second half, scoring 21 points, with 19 coming in the fourth quarter. In this period of basketball play, he played primarily on-ball and hit shot after shot off the dribble to will the Grizzlies back into the game. Finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, and five assists on 48% shooting, Desmond Bane joined Ja Morant as the second player in franchise history with consecutive games of 30 points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists. 

Both Bane and Jackson Jr. are putting up All-Star seasons so far and growing into themselves even further as top young players in the game. No Ja Morant, no problem, as long as these bright young basketball talents are on the floor.

It was a much-needed first win for the Memphis Grizzlies, but things will not get easier. They face the Miami Heat back home on Wednesday. They will need to continue to develop their offense and hit shots at all levels to rack up wins and propel themselves in the Western Conference standings.