Unfortunately for the Memphis Grizzlies, losing significant double-digit leads is becoming a habit.
In Thursday’s 118-111 loss to the Orlando Magic in Berlin, the Grizzlies surrendered a 20-point first-half advantage, in part due to a disastrous third quarter in which the Grizzlies managed only 12 points and three field goals. Memphis has seen leads of 21, 16 and 20 points erased in their last three games, two being losses.
The Grizzlies and Magic will play the second and final game of their European swing at the O2 Arena in London on Sunday, and Memphis will hope to avoid another huge letdown. The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last nine games.
Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama admits it has been frustrating being unable to hold onto leads. The recent absence of their closer, star guard Ja Morant, hasn’t helped.
“We had some really good minutes, but it’s the same problem we’ve had all season,” Aldama said. “We’re not able to play for 48 minutes and that’s why we end up losing the game.”
Morant, the franchise’s two-time NBA All-Star guard, missed his sixth consecutive game with a right calf contusion Thursday in Berlin. His status for Sunday’s game is uncertain. Reports that the Grizzlies are entertaining offers for Morant ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline surfaced last week.
“I think there’s a good chance he plays,” Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “He went through the full practice (Friday), and now we just have to see how his body responds in the morning. There is obviously no guarantees, and he has to feel comfortable with how the calf feels.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. sparked the strong start Thursday by scoring 23 first-half points. He finished with 30.
But in the third quarter the Magic outscored the Grizzlies, 26-12, to gain the momentum that would sustain them.
The Magic took the lead with 2:27 left on a dazzling dunk by Anthony Black, a shot that will be part of all year-end dunk-of-the-year discussions.
Black got quickly to the rim on a break and dunked over four Grizzlies defenders, including former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jackson. The slam gave Orlando a 109-107 advantage. Black finished with 21 points.
“I didn’t even know it was on four people (defenders),” Black said. “I just saw the rim, saw the help defender. My teammates told me about it back in the huddle. Just being aggressive.”
Paolo Banchero collected 26 points and 13 rebounds for Orlando. Desmond Bane scored 13 points while playing against his former team for the first time since he was dealt to the Magic last summer.
After yielded 39 points in the opening quarter, Orlando proceeded to limit the Grizzlies to 40 over the following two quarters. Still, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley couldn’t dismiss what he saw in the opening 12 minutes.
“We played too slow,” Mosley said. “They got out in transition a ton. We missed a lot at the rim, which led to fastbreak points for them because they were getting out and pushing the pace.
“We’ve got to just do a better job, one, finishing at the rim … and knocking our shots down, but then it’s got to be a clear sprint to get back in transition, knowing this is a team that wants to get out and run.”
–Field Level Media
