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The Memphis Grizzlies learned just minutes before Saturday's game against the Detroit Pistons that they would be without Ja Morant because of food poisoning, so there wasn't much time for interim coach Tuomas Iisalo to adjust the game plan.
One thing was for sure, though — Memphis needed contributions from across the roster against the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
The Grizzlies got it. Zach Edey had a career-high 21 rebounds, Desmond Bane scored 38 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. had a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Iisalo even played GG Jackson and Cam Spencer, neither of whom had been in the rotation over the last few games. The end result was a critical 109-103 win, one that helped the Grizzlies (46-32) keep pace with the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) for the all-important sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
There was no update on Morant's condition postgame.
Both teams struggled to score early, and Bane was the only Grizzlies player who had it going in the first quarter. That helped the Grizzlies keep pace with the Pistons.
Detroit (43-35) made it close down the stretch, and the Grizzlies didn't have their usual closer in Morant. That meant the ball went to Bane, and he delivered.
The Pistons pulled within three with 3:05 to play, but Bane scored the Grizzlies' next seven points. That stretch included a 3-pointer with 53 seconds to go that effectively iced the game.
“He’s a good player and he can score in so many different ways," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "He can make open shots, he can put the ball on the floor and create his own. He’s good at driving the ball, creating contact. He’s just a well-rounded offensive player.”
The 7-foot-4 Edey has had an up-and-down rookie season, with plenty of stretches of encouraging play but plenty of concerning ones, too. It's been mostly the former since Iisalo took over as Grizzlies interim coach a week ago.
Edey has tallied double-digit rebounds in four out of five games Iisalo has coached, but Saturday was definitely his best performance. He broke a Grizzlies rookie record with 21 rebounds, dominating on the interior with Pistons center Jalen Duren out injured. Edey also had six points and six assists.
"He’s grasping the tactical nuances, he’s disciplined and executing the game plan," Iisalo said. "He's relentless in getting after the second shots and screening for our shooters. He's got a very bright future ahead of him.”
Iisalo started his tenure with three straight losses, but those games came against the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. Memphis has responded with road wins over the Heat and Pistons.
There are four games left in the regular season (Tuesday at Charlotte, Thursday vs. Minnesota, Friday at Denver and April 13 vs. Dallas).
The top six teams go straight to the playoffs, while the 7th-10th teams head to the play-in.
Iisalo was never going to have time to make major changes, but he has shown a propensity to experiment with things over the last week. He's inserted almost everyone on the roster into a game at some point, and that included stints for Jackson and Spencer on Saturday. Lamar Stevens, Marvin Bagley and Jay Huff have also all played at points over the last week.
The Hornets are among the worst teams in the league, so it could be another opportunity for experimentation. After that, it'll be big game after big game for the rest of the regular season and beyond.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Grizzlies earned a key road win over Pistons without Ja Morant
Continue reading...
One thing was for sure, though — Memphis needed contributions from across the roster against the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
The Grizzlies got it. Zach Edey had a career-high 21 rebounds, Desmond Bane scored 38 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. had a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Iisalo even played GG Jackson and Cam Spencer, neither of whom had been in the rotation over the last few games. The end result was a critical 109-103 win, one that helped the Grizzlies (46-32) keep pace with the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) for the all-important sixth playoff spot in the Western Conference.
There was no update on Morant's condition postgame.
Memphis calls 22 early ... and late
Both teams struggled to score early, and Bane was the only Grizzlies player who had it going in the first quarter. That helped the Grizzlies keep pace with the Pistons.
Detroit (43-35) made it close down the stretch, and the Grizzlies didn't have their usual closer in Morant. That meant the ball went to Bane, and he delivered.
The Pistons pulled within three with 3:05 to play, but Bane scored the Grizzlies' next seven points. That stretch included a 3-pointer with 53 seconds to go that effectively iced the game.
“He’s a good player and he can score in so many different ways," Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "He can make open shots, he can put the ball on the floor and create his own. He’s good at driving the ball, creating contact. He’s just a well-rounded offensive player.”
Zach Edey continues impressive stretch under Tuomas Iisalo
The 7-foot-4 Edey has had an up-and-down rookie season, with plenty of stretches of encouraging play but plenty of concerning ones, too. It's been mostly the former since Iisalo took over as Grizzlies interim coach a week ago.
Edey has tallied double-digit rebounds in four out of five games Iisalo has coached, but Saturday was definitely his best performance. He broke a Grizzlies rookie record with 21 rebounds, dominating on the interior with Pistons center Jalen Duren out injured. Edey also had six points and six assists.
"He’s grasping the tactical nuances, he’s disciplined and executing the game plan," Iisalo said. "He's relentless in getting after the second shots and screening for our shooters. He's got a very bright future ahead of him.”
Tuomas Iisalo strings together back-to-back wins
Iisalo started his tenure with three straight losses, but those games came against the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors. Memphis has responded with road wins over the Heat and Pistons.
There are four games left in the regular season (Tuesday at Charlotte, Thursday vs. Minnesota, Friday at Denver and April 13 vs. Dallas).
The top six teams go straight to the playoffs, while the 7th-10th teams head to the play-in.
Iisalo was never going to have time to make major changes, but he has shown a propensity to experiment with things over the last week. He's inserted almost everyone on the roster into a game at some point, and that included stints for Jackson and Spencer on Saturday. Lamar Stevens, Marvin Bagley and Jay Huff have also all played at points over the last week.
The Hornets are among the worst teams in the league, so it could be another opportunity for experimentation. After that, it'll be big game after big game for the rest of the regular season and beyond.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Grizzlies earned a key road win over Pistons without Ja Morant
Continue reading...
