For the very first game in Memphis history on a Jan. 1, Grizzlies and Kings gave us a hard-fought game from start to finish. But, in the end, it was Memphis who won (118-108) behind 35 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists from Ja Morant and a huge double double from Steven Adams at 11 points and 23 rebounds (career record tied) .
Back to back after two games, with one win each this season, the two teams have long been neck and neck in this match, with no less than nine lead changes and seven draws in the first half.
Memphis was able to count on Ja Morant and Tyus Jones to launch the first banderillas in the first half, the first striking for 13 points in the first quarter, when the second will come out of his box to keep the same dynamic with 13 points in 10 minutes in second. But Malik Monk off the bench, and the duo Sabonis – Fox allowed the Kings to stay up to par.
A 10-3 will make the difference at the start of the last quarter (from 91-87 to 101-90 in favor of the locals), allowing Memphis to chain a third success in a row when the Kings see their short series of two victories from row (each time on a point of difference) stop quickly.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— Memphis makes the difference in the last quarter. At +4 only at the start of the last quarter, Memphis had to work to get rid of the Kings. And it started with a 3-point racquet head from Jaren Jackson Jr. From 93-90, Memphis will go to 101-90, enough to see coming. With 9 points in the last quarter, Morant will drive the final nails into the coffin of the Kings on two consecutive actions in “pick & roll” on the right side before Dillon Brooks (in heavy defensive pressure on Fox) does not sanction in turn on the line of throws.
— The Grizzlies dominate the paint. In a very tight game, the Grizzlies managed to get away with insisting in the paint. In the “points in the paint” category, Memphis effectively cleaned up by winning 64-44 against Sacramento. If Domantas Sabonis managed to get by with 18 points and 14 rebounds, his teammates had more difficulty approaching the circle facing Adams mountain and his 23 rebounds, even Jaren Jackson (14 points, 7 rebounds , 3 blocks). As a symbol, Adams will give +13 to his team 7 minutes from the end by going to recover his own offensive rebound before shoving it violently into the circle at the dunk!
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Ja Morant. With 35 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists this night, and this at a very good percentage (13/23 on shots), Ja Morant managed a fourth game with 30 points or more in his last five outings. This is to say the level of excellence reached by the All-Star leader of the Grizzlies who knew how to press the accelerator at the end of the game.
✅ steven adams. Among the best rebounders in the League (in 7th position at more than 10), Steven Adams is in great shape under the panels at the moment! Already 21 shots against the Pelicans the other night, Adams did even better yesterday with 23 rebounds, which is simply his career high equaled. Monstrous on the offensive rebound with 13 takes (including 6 in the 4th quarter alone), Adams weighed heavily against the Kings.
✅ Tyus Jones. The replacement point guard for the Grizzlies is not making waves but at 10 points, 5 assists on average, he is an essential part of his team. Like last night, by succeeding in a very clean match, with 18 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds… without the slightest lost ball, and this at 5/7 at 3-points! It was in the 2nd quarter that he exploded, with 13 points in 10 minutes including 4/5 from behind the arc.
⛔ The Barnes–Murray–Huerter trident. The holders of Sacramento in general have not been at the level hoped for to beat Memphis in Memphis but, more particularly still, the exteriors of the five major have failed. Between them, Harrison Barnes (4/12), Keegan Murray (4/12) and Kevin Huerter (4/10) accumulated a 12/34 on shots which weighed down their team, unable to approach the circle in attack .
THE FOLLOWING
Memphis (22-13) : trip to Charlotte on Wednesday.
Sacramento (19-15) : continuation of the “road trip” to Salt Lake City on Tuesday.
