Desmond Bane delivered a passionate speech to his Memphis Grizzlies teammates during their huddle as they faced a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks. The team responded admirably, narrowing the once 17-point gap to just four. However, the Mavericks had a response of their own, led by their star player Luka Doncic, who scored 35 points and secured a triple-double, resulting in a 125-110 victory for the Mavs at FedExForum on Monday.
Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. were the leading scorers for the Grizzlies, each contributing 30 points, while Marcus Smart added 23. Unfortunately, this loss marks the Grizzlies’ longest season-opening losing streak since 2004.
With 6:13 left in the game, the Grizzlies found themselves in a precarious position. However, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s personal 5-0 run provided a glimmer of hope. The team would need more performances like that to end their three-game losing streak, as they trailed 110-100 with time running out.
Tim Hardaway Jr.’s remarkable performance, tallying 21 points off the bench, extended Memphis’ troubles as they now trailed by 14 points, 102-88, with 10:34 left in the game.
At the end of the third quarter, the Grizzlies remained behind with a score of 97-86. Despite Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s remarkable performances, matching each other with 23 points, the Mavs demonstrated strong offensive firepower from their starters and bench players.
The Grizzlies bench has been struggling to contribute throughout the game, as they were outscored 32-11 and desperately needed a boost. Injuries have impacted their roster depth, underscoring the need for the bench players to step up. With 56.9 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies still trailed 97-86.
Both teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle, exemplified by the Grizzlies’ inability to contain Derrick Jones Jr., who had reached 20 points. With 4:03 left in the game, the Mavs held an 85-80 lead over the Grizzlies.
Jaren Jackson Jr.’s impressive 3-pointer with 7:14 left in the game narrowed the gap to just two points, with Jackson’s tally now at 19 points. The Mavericks retained a slim lead of 75-73.
The Grizzlies’ defense was searching for answers throughout the game, as they trailed 75-68 with 8:42 remaining. While they had improved in containing Luka Doncic, his teammates, particularly Derrick Jones Jr., had stepped up with 14 points.
At halftime, the Mavs held a 67-61 lead over the Grizzlies. Luka Doncic’s exceptional shot-making ability proved difficult for the Grizzlies to defend, as he scored 22 points in the first half. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 18 points. Memphis shot 50% overall and 8-for-20 on 3-pointers. The Mavs, on the other hand, made 15 of their 26 3-point attempts.
Desmond Bane continued to shine in the game, serving as the Grizzlies’ top offensive option. He displayed efficiency on both ends of the court, shooting 7-for-8 and leading the team with 17 points. With 3:28 remaining in the second quarter, Bane’s performance was a standout.
Grant Williams’ impressive return to the court saw him make four of his five 3-point attempts, extending the Mavs’ lead to 48-42 with 5:46 left in the first half.
The Grizzlies’ momentum was disrupted by an 8-0 run from the Mavs, following a Derrick Jones Jr. 3-pointer. This swift surge propelled the Mavs to a 19-18 lead, forcing the Grizzlies to call a timeout with 9:02 remaining.
The first quarter came to a close with the Grizzlies leading 36-30, thanks to Desmond Bane’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The game showcased similarities to the Grizzlies’ previous matchup against the Washington Wizards, with the Grizzlies struggling to contain their opponents’ shooting from beyond the arc. However, unlike their previous game, the Grizzlies’ offense performed better. The Mavs made eight 3-pointers in the first quarter but shot 10-for-24, while the Grizzlies shot 58.3% from the field and made six threes.
The Grizzlies faced a 19-12 deficit before embarking on a 6-0 run, narrowing the gap to just one point. David Roddy’s notable contribution, scoring four of the last six points for the Grizzlies, provided a much-needed boost. With 8:47 remaining in the first quarter, the Mavs led 19-18.
Grant Williams emerged as the primary scorer for the Mavs in the early stages of the game, sinking three open 3-pointers. The Grizzlies would have to adjust their defensive strategy accordingly.
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