Between two teams in bad shape during this holiday season, it was the Suns who managed to better channel their energy last night in Memphis (125-108). Despite 34 points and 6 assists from Ja Morant, the Grizzlies have suffered the law of Phoenix, which ends a series of three losses in a row, while Memphis is sinking with four defeats in its last five games…
The Grizzlies thus exploded in full flight in the second quarter, conceding 42 points including 10 points in four minutes for the only Duane Washington Jr. (26 points), their executioner of the evening.
Ja Morant will bring his Grizzlies back to -6 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter, but the Suns, and again Duane Washington Jr, will quickly breathe new life into the Suns who will be able to finish this game in freewheel with a mattress in advance of the most comfortable, around the twenties.
Faced with clumsy Grizzlies and clearly not on their plate defensively, the Suns offered a good collective effort, symbolized by a well-distributed mark with 8 players at 10 points or more, including Jock Landale at 16 points or Deandre Ayton at 15 points , 10 rebounds, or finally Chris Paul with 14 points, 6 assists.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
— The Grizzlies’ beleaguered defense. Without Devin Booker, Landry Shamet, Cam Payne or Cam Johnson, the Suns still managed to pass a whopping 42 points to the Memphis defense (in Memphis) in the second quarter, leaving Phoenix to shoot at 13/19 on shots including 7/10 at 3-points! It’s clearly not worthy of the standards Taylor Jenkins has set since arriving in Tennessee. The latter was obviously included in the current poor form of his team, insisting on the lack of communication in defense, but also an obvious lack of inspiration on the other side of the floor: “We all have to do better offensively. Me, the players. We must do better! We’ve been in a bad patch for the last four or five games. We are not at our usual level, we are not playing as we are able to do. »
— Duane Washington Jr’s heat stroke. In “two way” with the Suns, he nevertheless has the confidence of his coaching staff and his teammates. The former Ohio State had already been called upon several times during the season, including a 21-point outing in Miami or another 15-point in 18 minutes to beat the Lakers, but tonight Duane Washington Jr. did it again stronger with a career-high 26 points including 5/9 from 3-pointers. That’s three games in a row with 10 or more points for him: “We needed each of his baskets”, enjoyed Monty Williams. “He gave us a lot of energy and that aggressiveness on the pitch. »
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Duane Washington Jr.. He had already shown what wood he could get in a loss to Miami in mid-November, with a 21-point outing, but last night Duane Washington Jr. went even harder in Memphis. The replacement shooter out of Ohio State currently in “two way” for his second NBA year caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 10 of his 26 points (career record) in just 4 minutes!
✅ Ja Morant. The Grizzlies superstar struggled in vain, especially with a blazing 3rd quarter at 22 points, his team could not regain victory! Despite its 34 points including an excellent 15/16 in throws, but a less good 3/10 in 3-pointers (which is 5/20 in two games), Memphis remains in its bad patch…
⛔ Jaren Jackson Jr.. Back very strong in mid-November, Jaren Jackson Jr. is in trouble a month later. The sequence of matches is difficult these days, with another delicate outing last night with 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks, all at 2/12 on shots including 0/4 from afar…
⛔ Desmond Bane. Like his teammate JJJ, Desmond Bane is trying to get back to his best after a long injury. Last night, he was the only other Grizzly to reach ten points: at 14 units, but he had to work hard to get there with a small 4/12 on shots including a 0/4 at 3-points which doesn’t look like him.
THE FOLLOWING
Memphis (20-13) : Long trip ahead in Toronto on Thursday.
Phoenix (20-15) : continuation of the “road trip” of six games with the next stage in Washington this evening.
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