Quick Recap: Shorthanded Grizzlies Fall to Pelicans in Overtime

No Morant. No Tillman. No Kennard. Despite it all, Memphis was still in this game until the final quarter. However, In the final period, a typically average three point shooting team in New Orleans, practically combusted they got so hot from deep. When you’re missing your best three point shooter, keeping pace with a team suddenly scorching from beyond the arc is going to inevitably be an uphill battle. One Memphis would ultimately lose in extra minutes in New Orleans.

First Quarter

It was the Jaren Jackson Jr. show early in the game; the Grizzlies big man had 2 points, 2 blocks, 2 rebounds, and an assist in the first 5 minutes of action. Dillon Brooks additionally made sure to make his presence known early sinking two threes, while also keeping Brandon Ingram to a single rebound as the quarter passed its halfway point.

After a Trey Murphy III alley-op, Memphis would get six quick points following a timeout to cut the Pelican’s lead to one. Kenneth Lofton Jr. would have his number called early as the first reserve subbed in; it’s always a welcome sign to see him get quality minutes, not just in garbage time. JJJ continued to dominate (14 points, 3 blocks, 0 fouls), and DB was in full Villain (three of four from deep, keeping Ingram scoreless with a single shot attempt). Had it not been for Herb Jones, the score to this game would have been much worse. Memphis 34, New Orleans 32.

Second Quarter

It was pure hustle from the Grizzlies reserves to start the quarter as they increased their lead to 11; in the bench minutes Memphis would outscore NOLAs 18 to 7 as a whole in the half. In particular, John Konchar was having his best showing in practically a month. ‘Jitty’ added 6 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist and steal apiece, in just 11 minutes in action.

When the starters re-entered to close out the half, it would be accented with yet another Dillon trey. Throw in more of the Pelican’s generally having no answer for Trip, and it’s no wonder they were the two leading Memphis scorers (JJJ – 20 points, DB- 14 points). It was honestly about as solid an offensive and defensive team outing you could ask for, as the Grizzlies outshot the Pelicans across the board (57.4/42.1/77.8% team splits compared to 43.2/31.6/72.7%). After only holding a single-digit lead at the end of the first quarter, the Grizzlies would push this to 17 by the half. Memphis 69, New Orleans 52.

Third Quarter

Despite getting some solid looks across the board the Grizzlies couldn’t make a shot to start the quarter; they missed their first six shots of the period. DB would scoop and score a little over three minutes in to the third, to end the mini shooting draught, but the Pelicans would nevertheless take advantage and close the gap to 71-61.

DB and Desmond Bane would do their best to keep the Grizzlies lead, but they found themselves each in foul trouble with four minutes to go in the quarter (4 and 3 respectively). With perennial Grizz killer CJ McCollum finally coming alive for the Pelicans, and Herb Jones continuing to have the game of his career, Memphis found their lead had diminished down to 6 points. Again, it would be the Grizzlies’ bench unit who was able to slow the bleeding breifly. As time expired in the third quarter, the trio of Roddy/Konchar/Lofton Jr. were accounting for 21 points and 11 rebounds between the three of them. Memphis 90, New Orleans 85.

Fourth Quarter

The Grizzlies would start the quarter absolutely determined as they started on a 7-0 run to increase their lead to 12. Bane would really start to gain steam with 21 points and 9 minutes left to go in the game; this would actually be ‘Downhill’ Des’ 8th consecutive 20 points game.

A bombardment of threes (11 of 15 in the second half) from the Pelicans would make it a two point game with 6 minutes left in regulation. The Grizzlies were getting buckets still, but 3 is still more than 2 so if you can’t maintain pace it doesn’t matter. If it wasn’t felt before, Kennard’s absence was surely felt here. With five minutes left to go in the quarter, Memphis would see another double-digit halftime lead wiped away. JJJ would tie the game at 111 all with four minutes left, and Tyus Jones would help Memphis regain the lead at the line.

NOLA’s clearly was trying to get DB off of Ingram in order get him to the line; Ingram’s clutch free throw attempts were 13-13 before this game and they would ride him to a three point lead with less than two minutes left. Jaren would cut the lead to a single point, before DB’s fifth foul with 47 seconds left sent Ingram back to the line. He would sink both of these to put Pelicans up three before sinking a dagger into the Grizzlies heart, going up 5 with 13 seconds left. Sloppy play in the final 10 seconds would put Trip at the line with 0.4 seconds left and a chance to tie the game. A chance he would seize to send the game into overtime.

Overtime

The Grizzlies would win the tip converting it into a great look for JJJ off the shot clock, but they were unable to capitalize. The Pelicans wouldn’t make the same mistake, instead sinking two threes to make their total 21 for the game and taking the lead by six. With both Bane and Brooks fouling out in overtime, not even a game-high 40 points from Jackson Jr. would be enough to keep the Pelicans from ultimately overpowering the Grizzlies and sealing the win. New Orleans 138, Memphis 131.