Trailing by 17 points in the first half, the Grizzlies enjoyed a nice comeback on the Spurs floor last night. If Victor Wembanyama held his place with 31 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks, Memphis was able to count on a great Jaren Jackson (28 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks) to hold on until the end and win this bottom-of-the-table duel in the West.
Victor Wembanyama took the match into his own hands by scoring his team's first five points then delivering two caviars for Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell (11-5). The latter then took over by hitting two big 3-point baskets then a floater to widen the gap (27-14).
While “Wemby” resumed its destructive business with two new interior baskets to start its second quarter, a 3-pointer, and an assist in transition for Malaki Branham (39-22), Memphis suddenly resurfaced by passing a 11-0 marked by 3-pointers from GG Jackson, Jake LaRavia and Scotty Pippen Jr (39-33). Still at 3-points, Jaren Jackson Jr and Santi Aldama then brought the Grizzlies back into the match, at -1 at the break (44-43).
Jaren Jackson Jr finishes strong
San Antonio got back on track, and Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama had a lot to do with it, including an alley-oop from the first to the second to give the locals some breathing space (58-51). But once again, the Grizzlies quickly rectified the situation, even returning to the lead thanks to the efficiency of the Pippen Jr-Jackson Jr tandem (63-68).
Enough to force Victor Wembanyama to return to the field prematurely, notably to equalize at 68-68 at the end of the third quarter with a new burst of brilliance, between his counter on GG Jackson followed by his alley-oop on a serve of Devin Vassell.
In the last act, Jaren Jackson Jr led his team with a 2+1 and a 3-pointer to help give Memphis a 7-length lead at the start of the “money-time” (78-85) . Victor Wembanyama's 3-pointer to bring the Spurs to -4 was not enough (83-87). Jake LaRavia added four more points with free throws and Jaren Jackson Jr finished the job like a boss with this winning basket in the last second (99-97), while Devin Vassell had just equalized.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Jaren Jackson Jr, the last of the Mohicans. In this disastrous season for the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr will have remained the last pillar still standing. He did not waste his season, and showed it again last night with a leading match, who was able to be present when his team needed it (12 of his 28 points in the last act), until to this “game winner”, a left hand floater on Jeremy Sochan.
– The Spurs watered. Gregg Popovich's men hit rock bottom in attack in this match, including their worst quarter of the season in the second quarter with only 14 points scored. But the Spurs also watered too much on the outside shot, with a catastrophic 5/35 at 3-points (14.7% success), until the two arrows of Devin Vassell and Tre Jones to equalize at the very end of the match. Too little too late, even against these Grizzlies.
– Good and bad for “Wemby”. The Frenchman will have been the spearhead of his team in each of his visits and will have again marked this match with numerous brilliant shots such as his alley-oop following a counter on GG Jackson to equalize at the end of the third quarter . His match, however, remains marred by his clumsiness from afar (3/12) and his 7 lost balls, at least two of which were avoidable, on a walk before attempting a pass behind the back, and a cross pass intercepted on a ball lift.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
