Last night's blown 15-point fourth-quarter lead in their loss to the Dallas Mavericks officially eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies from advancing to the Knockout Round of the Emirates NBA Cup. After dominating the third quarter and taking a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies went on a foul fest on the defensive end, leading to Mavericks taking 26(!!) free throws in the fourth quarter and helping them complete the come-from-behind win.
With the Grizzlies not partaking in the Emirates NBA Cup Knockout Round bracket, two additional games were added to their schedule. Both teams added to their schedule are familiar opponents they have played two times each this season, including being swept by one of them.
Friday, December 13th - vs Brooklyn Nets
The Grizzlies get an opportunity to avenge two early season losses to the Brooklyn Nets, including the first one ending with a heart-to-heart moment for the team after losing Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane to injuries during the game. The first loss to the Nets gave the Grizzlies their only under .500 record this season at 2-3 and was followed by a masterclass performance from Ja Morant the next night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The first loss was considered an embarrassing moment for the team with high expectations and was the early turning point for how the team has performed since then. The second loss to the Nets, in Brooklyn the following week, was marred by a bad shooting performance by everyone not named Ja Morant and Zach Edey and was lost on the game's final possession.
The Grizzlies have a chance to avoid a sweep against an opponent that was considered to give them two bad losses while also providing former Memphis Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams the opportunity to perform in Memphis again. He scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting and forced four steals in his initial return to Memphis on October 30th.
Sunday, December 15th - @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Grizzlies and Lakers rivalry gets a fourth game this season after only having three scheduled games with two of them being in Memphis. The Grizzlies will have an opportunity to avenge their previous loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles after falling short in a valiant effort without Ja Morant on November 13th.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had his way in that game but foul trouble ultimately slowed him down the stretch of the game's most important moments. Meanwhile, the team's first matchup in Memphis the week before resulted in a blowout victory by the Grizzlies in a game that provided some fun jabs between Ja Morant and LeBron James before Morant left the game in the third quarter with the hip injury.