Let’s put this game into perspective. Memphis was without Ja Morant, Xavier Tillman, Luke Kennard, and Santi Aldama got hurt early in the game. Add the previous injuries we’re all aware of, and this certainly wasn’t the Grizzlies at full strength. However, Memphis led by 17 at the half and 14 in the 4th. But just like many times in the past, the lead evaporated.
Trey Murphy III filled Grizzlies fans with envy. Herb Jones couldn’t miss. CJ McCollum was a Grizz-killer as usual. Brandon Ingram did his best Mariano Rivera impersonation giving New Orleans a six-point lead with 11 seconds left.
Then, the unthinkable happened.
Trey Murphy III missed the first free-throw of what seemed like his career. Dillon Brooks hit a triple. Brandon Ingram committed an offensive foul. Desmond Bane got sent to the free-throw line down three. After hitting the first, Jaren Jackson Jr. rebounded the miss and got fouled. Two insanely clutch free-throws later, and this game entered overtime. But the craziness stopped there. New Orleans blew out the Grizzlies in OT escaping with a 131-138 win.
Bluff City Media’s Parker Fleming said it best:
Let’s give out some grades.
Jaren Jackson Jr.- 40 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 1 steal, 13-28 FG, 3-9 3 PT
A 40-piece with sides as good as the main course on the road? Yeah, Jaren Jackson Jr. was incredible. With Memphis thin in the frontcourt, the offensive burden rested squarely on Trip’s shoulders. Yet, he was more than capable of carrying not just the front court, but the whole team on his back. The Grizzlies will go in the playoffs as far as Jaren will take them. Though performances like tonight are almost impossible to replicate on a consistent basis, we’re quickly seeing him evolve into a different beast.
Grade: A+
Dillon Brooks- 25 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 9-15 FG, 5-8 3 PT
Citizens of Dillon Brooks Island are throwing a rager tonight. This was peak DB. 60% from the field. 62.5% from 3. No, you’re not dreaming. Dillon hit a step-back three over Jonas Valenciunas that made Grizzlies fans rub their eyes to make sure they saw that right.
Defensively, Brooks was his usual self making life difficult for Brandon Ingram offensively. While Ingram closed the 4th scoring 10 of New Orleans’ last 11 points, the Pelicans hunted a switch to get Brooks off of Ingram. Like Jaren’s career night, don’t expect the same performance from Dillon on a consistent basis. We can only hope this is a sign of things to come.