Report Card: Memphis collapsed in the 4th

To say it’s been a difficult 48 hours for the Memphis Grizzlies would be a monumental understatement.

Ja Morant has no timetable for return. Brandon Clarke is out for the season. Add the injury of Steven Adams and the suspension of Dillon Brooks, and what’s left is a shorthanded Grizzlies team against the Los Angeles Clippers on the road. Losers of 5 straight, the Clippers looked to snap their losing streak. While many thought the depleted Grizzlies would be the perfect team for LA to face, you still have to play the game.

The Grizzlies came out with an intensity and fire the people of Memphis craved after the past two days. David Roddy flew around the floor making winning plays. Xavier Tillman continued his good play. But the real difference makers were exactly who Memphis needed them to be.

Credit Clippers coach Ty Lue for his defensive adjustments that flustered the Grizzlies offense in the 4th quarter. Though Memphis squandered a 15-point lead entering the 4th, there’s been enough negativity around the Grizzlies. Let’s be positive and hand out some grades.

Desmond Bane: A- (30 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds)

Phone booth Bane was in full effect. Desmond hit the Clippers with a disrespectful step-back three to end the 3rd with an exclamation mark on a 51-point (!!!) quarter. Let’s not overlook his 6 assists though. Bane’s gotten more opportunities in the pick and roll, and he’s taken advantage of them. He’s coming off screens with his head up, analyzing the defense, and making the right read on a very consistent basis. While this is nit-picky, his grade takes a dip for two reasons. He missed a key open three near the end of the game. Plus, he seemingly flopped out of bounds instead of executing a clean hand-off allowing Paul George to steal the ball from Jaren Jackson Jr.

Tyus Jones: A (25 points, 12 assists, 5 steals)

With Ja Morant’s immediate future in flux, Tyus Jones finds himself in a familiar role. It’s no secret how successful the Grizzlies were last season when Ja was hurt. But the annoying narrative that the Grizzlies are better without Ja stemmed from Tyus’s strong play. The Grizzlies are amidst a crucial 6-game stretch against quality Western Conference opponents. If Memphis is going to bounce back after back-to-back losses, Tyus must continue his elite play from tonight. He was unconscious in the 3rd quarter hitting heat-check triples and conducting the offense like a maestro. There’s no questioning his importance with Ja out.

Jaren Jackson Jr.: B+ (24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks)

Overall, Jaren had a good game. He hit key triples, displayed his great touch around the rim, and impacted the game defensively. Perhaps it’s greedy of me to ask for more. But I am. His 5 rebounds were an issue as Memphis got dominated on the boards. Jaren also needs to improve his decision-making when double-teamed in the post. He’s no Nikola Jokic, and JJJ never will be. Regardless, Trip must be more composed, take his time, and make the right read. With no Ja, expect Jaren to get doubled more often. Let’s see how he handles the added attention moving forward.