On Sunday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies closed out their four-game homestand with a 103-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, leaving them 2-2 on that stretch.
Let’s get into it.
In a refreshing change of pace, the Grizzlies dug out a win in a game where they squandered a double-digit lead. Would it have been better for them not to have blown a 16-point lead? Absolutely, but we take what we can get right now.
Despite their struggles this season, Memphis has been a very good team against weaker teams. They are 14-3 against sub .500 teams. Unfortunately, the reverse is not true: the Grizzlies are 3-19 against teams with winning records.
The Grizzlies came out swinging and shooting hot in the first quarter. Of the 11 total made three-pointers in this game, six of them came in the opening period.
Cedric Coward scored 13 of his 21 points in the first period, a career-high for opening quarters from the rookie.
Jock Landale shot perfectly in the first quarter, scoring seven points on 3 of 3 overall shooting and 1 of 1 from beyond the arc.
Landale was acquired as a backup center, but due to injuries, he has started 19 games for the Grizzlies. That is more games in the starting lineup this season than in every other season he has played combined, and he’s been a tremendous value add for a team with a depleted frontcourt.
Another player who has spent more time in the starting lineup than anyone expected is guard Cam Spencer, currently ranked fourth in the league in three-point shooting, averaging 46.6% from beyond the arc. Spencer’s three-point shot wasn’t falling last night against the Nets, but he did dish out a game-high 13 assists to go along with his 12 points.
One notable detail for the Grizzlies in this matchup was shooting 100% from the free-throw line for the first time this season, converting 18 of 18.
In a surprise to no one who has paid attention this season, Memphis gave up 25 points off 15 turnovers while converting the Nets’ 10 turnovers to nine points. Turnovers have been the Grizzlies’ kryptonite for some time.
Brooklyn went on a 19-5 run to reach its biggest lead of 98-90 with 3 minutes remaining. However, Memphis answered with 11 consecutive points, highlighted by a Cedric Coward 3-pointer, taking a 101-98 lead with 59.6 seconds remaining.
The Grizzlies were 1 of 12 from beyond the arc in the second half until the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, shooting 3 of 5 from three-point range in the final minutes.
Four of five starters finished the night in double figures:
Coward led all scorers with 21 points on 8 of 15 overall shooting and 5 of 10 from beyond the arc, to go along with eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Jock Landale finished the night with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
Jaren Jackson Jr. added 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three blocks.
Cam Spencer scored 12 points, and added five rebounds and 13 assists.
From the second unit:
Santi Aldama led with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope closed out with 14 points on 5 of 11 overall shooting and 2 of 5 from three-point range, adding four rebounds and one assist.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies have taken their talents to Europe for the next two games. They will face the Orlando Magic in the NBA Berlin Game 2026 on Thursday, January 15, tipping off at 1 PM CST, and the NBA London Game 2026 on Sunday, January 18, tipping off at 11 AM CST.