If you stayed up for the Memphis Grizzlies match against the Los Angeles Clippers but tapped out after the first half, you missed an epic comeback.
After being down by as many as 16 points, the Grizzlies roared back in the second half to secure a 112-107 victory over the Clippers.
This was the final game of the NBA Cup for both teams. Despite winning 3-1 in group play, Memphis was eliminated* from a wild-card spot in the knockout round by the Phoenix Suns.
It is my distinct pleasure to inform you all that the reports of the Grizzlies’ demise have been greatly exaggerated: If they arenโt back, they are on their way.
Whether they have fully returned to form or are simply on the path, the Grizzlies showed that they should not be counted out. To paraphrase beloved former Grizzly Tony Allen: Keep a cool booty, yโall, because we are just a quarter of the way through the season.
Memphis struggled through the first two quarters with turnovers โ a familiar nemesis this season and last. In the first quarter alone, Los Angeles scored 11 points off the Grizzliesโ six turnovers.
All in all, the Grizzlies gave up 19 points off 15 turnovers. Which is not ideal, but they did win, so I will refrain from beating the turnovers dead horse again.
A minor discrepancy exists between the final scorerโs report and the AP NBA recap regarding Zach Edey’s rebounding stats for the game. The scorerโs report credits Edey with 19 rebounds, while the AP NBA recap lists 21.
Even if we split the difference, thatโs still 20 rebounds for the Big Zamboni (Edeyโs preferred nickname).
Thatโs an amazing feat against the Clippersโ big man, Ivica Zubac, who has been a Grizz killer in the past. Zubac is one of the leagueโs leading rebounders, with 219 total rebounds this season, just behind Nikola Jokic, and ranks fourth in rebounding percentage, averaging 11.5 rebounds per game.
The Grizzlies are clearly on their rebounding game this season โ ranked sixth in rebounds per game, averaging 46.1 rebounds, and leading with 922 total rebounds. And in this matchup, they beat the Clippers 53-39 on the boards.
More team notables: 44.3% overall shooting, 42.5% from beyond the arc, and 77.3% from the free throw line.
Player notables: Ten players took the floor for the Grizzlies, and seven of them finished the game in double figures.
Jaren Jackson Jr. put up a team-high 24 points on 9 of 13 overall shooting and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Vince Williams Jr. added 16 points, one rebound, five assists, one steal, and one block.
Jaylen Wells finished with 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Off the bench: Memphis leads the league in bench scoring, averaging 48.5 points per game from the second unit.
Santi Aldama led the second unit with 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 12 points while shooting 4 of 10 overall and 4 of 7 from three-point range, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Jock Landale also put up 12 points, along with six rebounds.
Cam Spencer closed out with 10 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies will play the third game in this four-game road trip on Sunday night against the Sacramento Kings. Tip-off is at 8 PM CST.
*After their elimination from the NBA Cup, the Grizzlies will play two additional regular season games: Theyโll face the Utah Jazz at home on Friday, December 12, and return to the Intuit Dome on Monday, December 15, for another matchup with the Clippers.
