Jazz Too Big For Grizz.

Colin Rafferty –

Last night your Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Utah Jazz 126-130, led by Keyonte George’s career high 39-point night.

On a night that had expectation of seeing Ja Morant hit the floor again, the Grizzlies and Ja came up just short.

The Forum was filled with hope and excitement when it was announced he would play. That was highlighted by the appearance of Louisiana rapper ‘Lil Boosie,’ who was courtside for the game.

Ja finished the night with 21 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds.

The return of 12 and he had the inverse, 21.

He had vintage Ja Morant plays, a couple of great passes, one reverse layup on the baseline that had everybody on their feet, a come from behind block, and yet again just barely missing a dunk that would’ve made Kevin Love reconsider why he is out there on the court at his age.

Ja gets the people going, and it sucks that they lost the game.

The loss of Zach Edey has shown itself very quickly, the Grizzlies were outrebounded and out scored in the paint. There needs to be a better way of utilizing the team than what happened last night.

I put this one on Iisalo, having the second team out there for the stretch that he did near the end of the game was maddening. In addition to, the 42-point third quarter, what was that?

They weren’t getting good looks and were getting cooked on defense.

Fans were clamoring for a timeout multiple times before anything was done, and the lead had been all but wiped away or in their favor.

It just looked weird, and in the NBA, when it does, you make a change. Especially against a team that is inferior, by record, to you.

You also keep Cam Spencer on the floor and don’t let anyone else shoot when he gets on a heater. 20 points on 6-6 from three-point land, he is that guy, HE CAN SHOOT, HE IS CONFIDENT, KEEP HIM IN.

God forbid a white boy get a little motion.

Yet again, the Grizzlies allowed someone to have another career night behind the three-point line. Keyonte George finished with 39 points, 8 assists, and 6 rebounds. If they had limited him at all, around the three, they could win the game.

Kevin Love, old man river, added 20 and hit some big-time threes down the stretch that seemed like daggers.

I will say this once, the officiating was bad last night, Scott Foster, I see you. I know your games, the Grizzlies were the home team, call it that way.

If there is a dirtier player in the league than Jusuf Nurkic, I’d be surprised. He is constantly grabbing and shoving players, moving on his screens and just not playing the game. He is a bull in a China shop; he has doing this since being at the Portland. I cannot stand him.

The Grizzlies did have all their starters in double digits, but the bench which had provided some great minutes these past few weeks, only had the benefit of Cam Spencer out there.

Landale did have some timely rebounds and a couple of big threes, but that was it.

Santi had a team high 22 points with 7 rebounds, Cedric Coward added 19 pts, 12 reb, and 6 assists, and Jaylen Wells posted 19 pts and 5 rebounds.

The connection the two Washington St. players have is awesome to watch, they are both ready to play both ways and hit big time shots when given the ball.

We just need to be all healthy.

Jaren must be hurt or something, because he doesn’t look to have the same burst he has had, even from the beginning of the year.

I really hope that I am wrong, but it would lend some credence to why he isn’t showing up like we expect him to do.

The Grizzlies will need to dig deep because it will not get easier without Edey around, and the Clippers will be out for blood after what he did to Zubac the past few matchups.

Moving forward we will need to get some minutes out of Prosper, he brings a liveliness and energy that, while not polished, is much needed.

The Grizz are shorthanded, he can give you some minutes and get some boards, just tell him that he needs to get two rebounds per every minute he is in.

They have a couple of days off to process this, hopefully they can find something to mend the loss of Edey quick, otherwise this month without him might be hard on the Grizz.

One in and one out, that is what has happened this year, or not even at all yet.

Like Ja said after the game when asked about the lack of playing time with Edey due to injuries, “I’ve been saying we should’ve sage the whole arena.”

He might be right, I am willing to do some ritual or blood oath to get these two on the court together, it is only fair.

The Grizzlies will be back in action in Los Angeles on Monday to face off against the Clippers.