Grizz Fall for Lakers Tricks

Colin Rafferty –

On what seemed like the start to a great game soon turned sour as the Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in last nights NBA Cup game, 117-112.

Luka Doncic led the way, after missing 3 games to injury, with 44 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. With Austin Reaves posting 21 pts.

Doncic in the lineup was a surprise to Grizz fans and Lakers fans as he was listed OUT prior to the pregame. His help undoubtedly gave the Lakers enough to get past the Grizzlies.

The first half was great even if the 1st quarter the Grizz were down 31-27. They found their groove in the second scoring 42 and taking a 69-55 lead into half.

Defense was turning into offense and the Lakers weren’t able to hit a shot. In the second quarter the Grizz blossomed their lead with a 25-4 run, that is the type of stuff we are all hoping to see more consistently.

But it was all for not, as they were unable to break the 30 point mark in both the 3rd and 4th.

It was a weird game, full of tricks and treats. Jaylen Wells and Jock Landale led the Grizzlies in scoring both putting up 16 pts. But the inability to cover the 3 point line and some weird lineups inevitably broke the Grizz.

There will be a lot of conversation about the final minutes of the game and how the coaching staff handled things, Ja Morant seemed frustrated with the decisions.

Not being on the court for stretches and seemingly somewhat distant to huddles on timeouts coming down to the end of the game.

“Go ask the coaching staff why I wasn’t playing,” Morant said in the locker room after the loss. I get it, he saw that they had a game to win, he’s their best player, why is he not in?

Only Jaren Jackson Jr. played more minutes and that was by 1. Ja had 31 minutes played, he ended with 8 points, 7 assists, 1 rebound, and 1 block. Hardly a Ja-like performance.

STILL that shouldn’t be the reason you don’t have him out there. Hell they don’t even have a true back-up point guard to roll out there.

Again I will preach this from my mountain top of obviousness, It is still early, the coaching staff is new, and they don’t have 4 main rotational guys that will make an impact when back.

Grizzlies fans should also be reminded that last year didn’t end with a great playoff performance.

It ended with them falling out of the top spots for the playoffs, getting by the Mavericks to get the LAST seed, all to be swept by the Thunder.

There is time to get things back on track. So breathe in, hold, breathe out. Do that three times and lets come together.

If the Lakers get 9 more foul shots than Grizzlies (25-16) and they lose by 5; don’t blame the Grizz. How do you not get the calls on home court? Well you’re playing the Lakers of course.

Regardless, the Grizz have only won 1 game over the entirety of the ‘In-Season Tournament.’ This is the 3rd year.

I couldn’t care less honestly, but geez that means games in November and December on Fridays the past few years have not been kind to Grizz fans.

Your Memphis Grizzlies will look to stay above .500 on Sunday on the road against the Toronto Raptors.

Additional Thoughts:

Good to see that Marcus Smart found his footing… NOT.

And to Kendrick Perkins. We got no time for you, fool.