The Memphis Grizzlies looked to improve to 3-0 in the Las Vegas Summer League as they took on the winless Utah Jazz led by Donovan Mitchell.
The Memphis Grizzlies, coached by Glynn Cyprien, went into this contest looking to go undefeated in Summer League play. Chris Wallace sat courtside next to former Grizzlies small forward Tayshaun Prince to watch the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Utah Jazz in day three of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League.
In what was a sloppy game from the opening tip, the Grizzlies were down 20-14 at the end of the first quarter in large part due to countless turnovers.
Nevertheless, Memphis grinded its way back into the game throughout the second quarter thanks to Dillon Brooks. The former Oregon Duck caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 12 points (5-5 FG) to put the Grizzlies on top 43-35 at halftime.
His dominance would continue into the second half as he stayed hot and finished with 24 points and six rebounds in the contest. However, Utah’s first round pick Donovan Mitchell had seen enough. Mitchell got hot and got hot fast.
The former Louisville Cardinal scored 37 points, a Summer-League high, to go along with a mind-blowing eight steals, tying the summer league record.
The Grizzlies held a 62-54 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Crunch-time
That lead didn’t last long, though. Donovan Mitchell single-handedly kept his team in the game. With just under 20 seconds left in regulation, the game was tied at 76. The Grizzlies held what initially looked like the final possession.
Grizzlies guard Wayne Selden beat his man off of the dribble and aggressively drove to the hoop, drawing a shooting foul with 8.8 seconds to go. Selden converted both at the line, and the Jazz had a chance to tie or take the lead.
Jazz forward Travis Leslie hit a fadeaway jumper with 2.6 seconds left to tie the game up at 78, giving the Grizzlies one final chance to put the game away.
Rade Zagorac threw an in-bounds pass to Wayne Selden, who attempted a wide-open 3 for the win, but the ball clanked off of the left side of the rim and the game was headed into overtime.
Dillon Brooks nailed a clutch 3 with a minute left in overtime to put Memphis on top 82-78. Mitchell responded with a long-two pointer of his own and two free throws to make the score 82-81, Grizzlies.
The Jazz forced a pivotal jump ball in crunch time by doubling Wade Baldwin. The Jazz won the tip, and Donavan Mitchell had the ball and a chance to win the game.
Mitchell shot a step-back fade away jumper over Wayne Selden that clanked off the back of the rim. Grizzlies forward Jarrell Martin gained possession of the rebound, got fouled and made both free throws to put Memphis on top 84-81 with 1.8 seconds left in overtime.
The Jazz still had one final chance, and we all knew the guy who was going to be taking the shot. Donovan Mitchell shot a well-contested three from the right wing that was tipped by none other than Dillon Brooks.
Ball game.
Grizzlies guard Ben McLemore, who was sitting courtside next to Grizzlies assistant coach Keith Smart, smiled after the final buzzer went off.
The Grizzlies had won 84-81 and had improved to 3-0 in the NBA Summer League, earning them a bye in the first round of tournament play.
Next: Wayne Selden: Full-time Starter?
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