If the Memphis Grizzlies were playing the card game of "Uno," they pulled out their reverse card on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz.
Four days ago, it was the Grizzlies who controlled a game for the first two quarters before faltering in the second half.
On Tuesday, Memphis flipped the script in a 140-103 win against the Jazz at the Delta Center.
The Grizzlies trailed by one at halftime. They had one lead in the first half and were down by as many as 14 points.
Still, it was setting up to be a close game until Memphis pulled away by outscoring the Jazz 41-17 in the third quarter.
Memphis held Utah to 38 total points in the second half after surrendering at least 30 points in each of the first two quarters.
This game wasn’t about one player particular stealing the show. Seven Grizzlies scored in double figures, and 10 players scored at least eight points.
Memphis also had nine players make multiple 3-pointers.
Throughout that connectivity, there were standouts. The goal now is for Memphis to build on this performance with a tough matchup against the Oklahoma City on Thursday (7 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network).
Scotty Pippen Jr. shines
Ja Morant missed his fifth consecutive game due to a hamstring strain. Memphis started that five-game stretch with Luke Kennard playing alongside of Desmond Bane in the backcourt, but the team shifted to Scotty Pippen Jr. in that role over the past two games.
Pippen is not new to the starting lineup. Memphis is 11-8 when Pippen starts at point guard.
Pippen had one of his best games as a starter against the Jazz. He was steady, poised and controlled the game on both ends.
Pippen finished with 16 points, 10 assists and made seven of his eight shots in 24 minutes without a turnover.
As a team, the Grizzlies had 38 assists to eight turnovers, and Pippen was a major part of that.
Jay Huff seizes increased role
Another rotation adjustment was made by Memphis on Tuesday. Reserve center Jay Huff got in the game before Zach Edey, who had spent most of the season as a starter. Memphis started Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Huff made Jenkins look smart by pouring in 15 points and making a number of key plays during that third quarter where Memphis pulled away. Huff had a team-high 12 points in the third quarter.
Tuesday was the rare night where Huff couldn’t make many 3-pointers. He made one of his six 3-point attempts, but he still converted six of his 13 shots.
Huff's play will be important to monitor because Memphis could use another productive big after losing Brandon Clarke for the season.
Steady, reliable leaders
Much of the game will be focused on how Memphis pulled away with stifling second half defense, but it was the two leaders who kept the team in position to make that run.
Jackson dominated the first quarter with 10 points. He finished with 19 before leaving the game in the third quarter after taking an elbow to the head.
It was Bane’s turn to keep Memphis in the game during the second quarter. He scored 12 of his team-high 21 points and helped Memphis get within one point of Utah at halftime.
With Morant out, the Grizzlies need Bane and Jackson to have those dominant stretches. Both players delivered on Tuesday.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies get big nights from Scotty Pippen Jr., Jay Huff vs Jazz
