Memphis Grizzlies Look to Finish Preseason Strong Against Rockets
The Memphis Grizzlies look to end the 2018-19 preseason on a high note after a embarrassing loss to the Orlando Magic. Follow all of the Grizzlies action here.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting:
First Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies made the choice to start Jaren Jackson Jr., and he answered the call after both teams started sluggish, Jackson Jr., started the scoring off for Memphis with a sweep left handed hook shot from the post. If anyone questioned Marc Gasol’s leadership, Gasol took to the floor after a 50/50 ball that led to a Grizzlies dunk by Dillon Brooks.
The Grizzlies didn’t communicate on several missed shots on offense, and getting back in transition or lack there of had the Grizzlies trailing by 10 at the end of one quarter. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies in scoring at 11 apiece after the first quarter. James Harden had 11 for the Rockets to lead Houston.
Second Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies started the second quarter off poorly, and trying new rotations that frankly were just bad in general. Memphis fell victim of a Rockets 11-0 run before J.B. Bickerstaff yelled at Mike Conley to come back off the bench to stop the bleeding. Conley and company did put a band aid on the bleeding, but the Rockets kept pushing through the wound.
Memphis cut the lead from 20 at one point down to 16, which isn’t much, but the crowd started paying attention once the team decided to start fighting back. Memphis trails Houston 63-47 at the half at FedEx Forum.
Third Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies opened the third quarter with a more aggressive attitude, but have yet to find a middle in playing great defense while scoring, and doing both well. It is either great defense and no offense or the opposite.
Memphis couldn’t find any sort of rhythm in the third quarter as the Grizzlies trailed the Houston Rockets 95-73. Memphis just couldn’t find a source of stability on an end in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
The Memphis Grizzlies did everything they could to get back into the game, but Houston was just too much of a force and Memphis only ran their starters a little over 25 minutes while the Rockets ran their starters over 30 minutes. Memphis shot 51.4 percent from the field while the Rockets shot 43 percent from the field. Memphis would fall to the Rockets by a score of 121-103.
Game Notes:
- Grizzlies Guard MarShon Brooks only logged four minutes of game time in the Grizzlies loss.
- Marc Gasol only had six points in 26 minutes of action.
- Grizzlies two-way players DJ Stephens, and Yuta Wantanbe entered in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
- Memphis
Next Game:
The Memphis Grizzlies will be back in action to kick off their regular season against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in Indiana.