Grizzlies Dominate Jazz with Stunning Second-Half Performance

The Memphis Grizzlies, missing star player Ja Morant, thrived in the second half to secure a resounding 140-103 victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night in Salt Lake City. Desmond Bane led the charge with 21 points, while Jaren Jackson added 19 before an unfortunate hit to the face sent him off the court temporarily. Despite his absence, the Grizzlies still managed to overpower the Jazz, outscoring them 76-38 in the latter half of the game, clinching only their second win in their last six outings.

Unfortunately for Memphis, an impressive run early in the season has faltered with key injuries, notably Morant’s lingering hamstring strain. These issues have cast doubt over their status as championship contenders. On the Jazz side, Isaiah Collier contributed 21 points in a game that marked Utah’s 13th loss in 14 games. The team missed critical contributions from John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, and Jordan Clarkson, all sidelined due to various ailments.

Initially, the Jazz showcased their shooting prowess by hitting 13 of their first 19 three-point attempts. However, Memphis regrouped and mounted a spirited comeback. Despite trailing 61-47, the Grizzlies capitalized on forcing five consecutive missed three-pointers from their opponents, sparking a dramatic 17-2 run. Jaylen Wells crowned this comeback with a shot that gave Memphis a narrow 64-63 edge before the halftime buzzer.

Takeaways

• Grizzlies: Exhibiting determination, Memphis rebounded from a first-half deficit to dominate the second half, not only outscoring the Jazz decisively but also commanding the boards with a 33-8 rebounding advantage.
• Jazz: Once their three-pointers ceased to fall, Utah struggled to maintain their initial momentum and sank into ineffectiveness.

Key Moment

After Jackson’s departure, the Grizzlies put the clamps on the Jazz, allowing only one field goal over a span of more than seven minutes.

Key Stat

In the third quarter, even with Morant and Jackson sidelined, the Grizzlies soared, outscoring the Jazz 41-17, marking their widest margin in a single quarter this season.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will wrap up their five-game road swing against Oklahoma City on Thursday, while the Jazz will look to rebound as they host Houston on the same night.