Despite missing their entire frontcourt rotation against the Phoenix Suns on March 10th, the Memphis Grizzlies completed the season sweep of them and won their third straight game. The win also snapped a four-game home losing streak which began on February 28th after their previous victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Along with missing starters Zach Edey Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. and top reserves Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke, the Grizzlies were without backup guards Luke Kennard and Vince Williams Jr. However, they kept their season-long pace of delivering with depth as seven players scored in double figures.
The other positive development has been with their superstar point guard who has a streak that makes the Grizzlies the best version of themselves.
Ja Morant has 3 straight double-digit scoring 4th quarters
"Call 12" has been a staple since Ja Morant entered the league, and has to be the Grizzlies calling card in late-game scenarios when he has played. Ja Morant always seems to deliver when the team needs it the most and with Jaren Jackson Jr. out the last four games, the Grizzlies' star is gaining steam.
He delivered back-to-back 30-point games in their two-weekend victories over the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans and fell one point shy of a third consecutive 30-point game with 29 points against the Suns. With each of their last three games being close games in the last five minutes Morant notched 10+ points in each of the fourth quarters to help close out the wins.
He became only the second player in franchise history to score 10+ points in three consecutive games that were also wins, trying current Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. Less than a week ago there were questions about Morant's ability to play through the lagging shoulder injury that had caused him to miss two consecutive games last weekend.
He has answered the call since announcing that he probably should've sat out their last loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 5th. However, the Grizzlies need him more than ever and he looks like the player that he has shown them in the past that they believe can be a championship-level type.
Despite his documented struggles this season, he has scored 20+ points in the last eight games he has played. As great as Jaren Jackson Jr. has been for the Grizzlies this season, they will need this version of Ja Morant to pair with him to form a duo that will be one of the best come playoff time. Add in the evolving Desmond Bane and the Grizzlies' contention status rises to where many thought they could be.