The last two days have perfectly summed up the Memphis Grizzlies’ season since the All-Star break.
Coming out of the All-Star break, Memphis was in a strong position to capture a top-two seed in the Western Conference for the third time in four years. And then that all came crashing down in recent weeks.
Memphis entered Thursday with two games against Western Conference foes and a chance to earn a top-six seed, guaranteeing a playoff spot.
First, the Grizzlies loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Then they fell 117-109 against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at Ball Arena.
Losing one of the two games was bearable, but losing both unlocked the worst case scenario. Memphis will now be the No. 8 seed and open its postseason run on the road in a play-in game.
"Yeah, it definitely stings but at the end of the day I think it is stuff we can control," Santi Aldama said. "I think we did a good job for the most part. It was a tough turn around, we all know that, but it is not an excuse. We have dug ourselves in the hole and now we are going to try to get out of it and we still got to find a way."
How the lead got away
Ja Morant knocked down a 3-pointer and did his new celebration as the Grizzlies took a 9-7 lead over the Nuggets. Memphis didn’t trail for the remainder of the first, second or third quarters after that.
It wasn’t until 2:46 left in the fourth when Memphis lost its lead. And when that lead was gone, it was gone. The Grizzlies never led again.
Familiar offensive issues and late-game execution woes were on display. The Grizzlies scored 14 points in the fourth quarter after totaling at least 24 in the first three frames.
Memphis shot 4-for-18 in the fourth quarter. Desmond Bane had two crucial turnovers, Ja Morant made one of his six shots and Jaren Jackson Jr. didn’t have a point or rebound.
Losing the frontcourt battle
Memphis needed its frontcourt to play an A-game against the Nuggets, and that wasn't the case. The Grizzlies used Jackson and Santi Aldama against reigning Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic. The result was Jokic finishing with 26 points, 16 rebounds and 13 assists.
Zach Edey played the roamer position that Jackson often occupies against Aaron Gordon, but that didn't work out, either. Gordon used his quickness against Edey and his power when matched up against other Grizzlies players. He finished with eight dunks and a game-high 33 points.
What’s next
Memphis is now locked into the No. 8 seed and will wait on the wildness of the West to play out before learning where it will travel to open the postseason.
Before the ...
