On Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies suffered their fifth straight loss, losing to the New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 114-106.
The city of Memphis is still iced in, but the Grizzlies got iced out in the Big Easy, and their five-game losing streak now ties their longest of the season.
Despite leading by as many as 10 points and all five starters finishing in double figures, the Grizzlies’ faltering in the third quarter sealed their fate.
New Orleans outscored Memphis 35-15 in the third quarter and erased the marginal lead the Grizzlies started the second half with.
It’s a similar story to so many of the losses this season – inconsistent shooting and too many turnovers killed what little momentum the Grizzlies had.
It goes without saying that the team was shorthanded, as they have been all season long. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome were both recently transferred to the Memphis Hustle for a game, hopefully in preparation for joining the main Grizzlies roster soon, for the first time this season.
This was a disappointing matchup between two struggling teams, and fortunately, it will be the last time they face each other this season. They finished the season series tied at 2-2.
Neither team shot well from long range, but Memphis outperformed New Orleans in three-point shooting, 12 of 21 to 8 of 33, and in second-chance points, 21-13. However, Memphis lost the battle in the paint, 68-48, and in fastbreak points, 24-11.
Jaren Jackson Jr. put up a team-high 16 points on 6 of 19 overall shooting and 2 of 10 (yikes) from beyond the arc, nine rebounds, two assists, a game-high six steals, and two blocks.
Cam Spencer also scored 16 points on 6 of 7 overall shooting and 4 of 4 from beyond the arc, one rebound, and three assists.
Cedric Coward scored 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Jock Landale added 12 points on 5 of 12 overall shooting, along with eight rebounds and one steal.
Jaylen Wells finished with 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Off the bench, Vince Williams Jr. led with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies are back home tonight to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.