Defeated the day before by the Kings, the Pelicans had to react immediately with the reception of another big caliber from the West: Memphis. But, without Ja Morant or Luke Kennard left to rest, the Grizzlies ended up cracking after a crazy match, which ended in overtime with the victory of New Orleans (138-131).
A crazy game because the Grizzlies arrived in Louisiana on the dynamics of their easy victory against the Blazers and were up to 19 points ahead in the second quarter, behind the monstrous performance of Jaren Jackson Jr. (40 points, 9 rebounds ).
But, forced to win at least once in its last three games, New Orleans was able to react late in the game, inflicting a hair-raising 22-6 in the last quarter. Propelled by their rediscovered exterior address, and in particular Trey Murphy III (30 points, 4 assists) and Herbert Jones (35 points, new career high), the Pelicans turned the tide of the match… before getting a big scare in the last ten seconds of the game.
Fortunately, the extension snatched in extremis by the Grizzlies failed to disturb the Pels who dominated the extra five minutes from start to finish to win with forceps (138-131). This success at the end of the suspense officially guarantees a place in “play in” for NOLA, which has two games left to play to know its opponent.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The lone rider of the Grizzlies. Even without Ja Morant, Memphis has top-notch attacking assets. The proof was made in the first half in New Orleans tonight. Jaren Jackson Jr. thus started very strong, with 14 points in the first quarter. But it was especially in the second quarter that the Grizzlies made a serious gap, counting up to 19 points ahead of a shot by Dillon Brooks, author of 14 points in the first half. At 57% on shots including 42% from 3-pointers for 69 points scored (and 52 conceded), Memphis fired all the woods in the first half!
– The huge comeback of the Pels…almost ruined. Back to the wall at half-time, the Pels managed to keep their cool and above all to resume their march forward, cropped by 12 points at 4/4 on shots from the very precious veteran CJ McCollum, well helped by Herbert Jones . Salvation then came from their sophomore: Trey Murphy III, who lit the fuse well behind the arc in the last quarter. It was he who launched a scathing 22-6 with three banderillas in a row, soon followed by Ingram and McCollum. But, +5 with 13 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies pulled off an unlikely comeback with a 3-plus foul for Dillon Brooks, followed by two shots from JJJ to tie the game. A heartbreak for furious fans after the return of theirs…
– A one-way extension! In the extra period, the Pels quickly redeemed themselves with their scorching home crowd, starting 10-0, again initiated by Murphy with two 3-point bombs. Not necessarily known for his offensive qualities, Herb Jones completed the work and the best offensive evening of his career, with 35 points in total, while Jaren Jackson Jr. found himself on the ground after a slip.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Herbert Jones. He had passed his twenties twice this season alone. Last night, the winger made the powder speak with 21 points… at halftime! He finished with 35 points, a major element of this crucial victory for the Pels.
✅ Trey Murphy III. Both sniper and big dunker, he provided the spark that set fire to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans with his flurry of 3-pointers in the last quarter, and even in overtime. He also reached thirty points!
✅ CJ McCollum. Never two without three… CJ McCollum is the third thief to finish at 30 points or more for the Pels in the same game (which is a first in the history of the franchise). The veteran rear was invaluable in reviving his team after returning from the locker room.
⛔️✅ Brandon Ingram. The scoring winger for the Pels had started his match very badly (only 4 points at halftime) but he was able to find his rhythm little by little to finish with 24 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds all the same. And a bunch of clutch shots!
✅ Jaren Jackson Jr. The versatile interior of the Grizzlies was the No. 1 option for his team and he assumed perfectly with 40 points and 9 rebounds in the end. Only problem, his second half more laborious in address…
THE FOLLOWING
Memphis (50-30): penultimate game of the season and trip to Milwaukee on the night of Friday to Saturday.
New Orleans (41-39): penultimate game of the season and reception of the Knicks on the night of Friday to Saturday.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
