Grizzlies battle, fall late against Cavaliers
Nail-biting fourth quarters are becoming the expectation with this group of Memphis Grizzlies players. They traded baskets with the Cleveland Cavaliers as both teams upped the intensity in the final minutes on Thursday night at Fedexforum.
Memphis trailed by one point with three minutes left to play, but then the Cavaliers went on an 8-2 run. The Grizzlies dropped their third consecutive game in a 108-101 loss to Cleveland.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies (1830) with 25 points. The Cavs (30-16) got 25 points from Donovan Mitchell, who hit a clutch 3-pointer when the Grizzlies were within one.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
New Grizzlies lineup/debuts
Another day, another new Grizzlies starting lineup. Jackson was joined by Scotty Pippen Jr., John Konchar, Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr. in the starting group. Xavier Tillman Sr. was a late scratch due to left knee soreness.
Tillman's absence opened the door for the debut of center Trey Jemision, who was recently signed to a 10-day contract. Jemison instantly gave the
Grizzlies a spark. The Grizzlies were plus-12 in Jemison's first seven-minute stretch off the bench. He finished with five points and three rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.
Big against Big
Jarrett Allen has been one of the NBA'S best centers this season at rebounding and protecting the rim, and Jackson has developed into a strong isolation scorer in Memphis. With Cavs 6foot-11 power forward Evan Mobley out, Jackson only had to worry about Allen. Jackson was aggressive early and went at the Cavs center while getting downhill and showing off several moves. Allen didn't play late in the game. Jackson had a notable size advantage the 6foot-9 Dean Wade and attacked him. Jackson shot 10-for-23 and added five assists.
Hanging tough, but not enough
Give the Grizzlies credit. They may not be the most talented team right now, but they're not lacking in the energy and hustle department. Memphis isn't shooting great offensively, but their defensive effort is keeping them in games. Now, each of the last three games have played out in similar fashion. Memphis has used its energy to get out to great starts, but when the opposing team that possesses more talent matches that energy in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies' lack of dynamic offensive options shows.
What's next
Memphis has a short turnaround before a game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. The Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 116-107 on MLK Day in their last meeting.