Alex Sarr slaps, Memphis turns the other cheek!

The balance is still more than fragile among them Grizzliescapable of showing good things against the Bucks, Wolves or even the Clippers, and also losing twice to Washington in the same span. In the second clash between the two teams in less than ten days, this time in Washington, the Wizards once again managed to win, 116-112, with another good overall game (8 players with 10 points or more), where Memphis lacked a relay behind the pair of Morant-Jackson Jr. (21 and 31 points).

The clash between Jay-Jay and Alex Sarr kept all its promises in any case, a duel at a great height from the start of the match. With his 7 blocks in the first quarter (a record this season), Memphis took the opportunity to take the lead (25-27), pushing Washington to respond in the second quarter, relying on Tre Johnson, Marvin Bagley III, Bilal Coulibaly, CJ McCollum and finally Alex Sarr, the author of the last break of the home order (5-5).

19-0 which is not enough

In a false rhythm, with the help of the French duo Coulibaly-Sarr, the author of 2+1 for the result 78-69, Memphis reacted with pride. The response was sharp as Tuomas Iisal’s men went 19-0 up! Jalen Wells gave himself two decisive sequences rewarded with six points, on a 2+1 and a three from the corner, GG Jackson also went to the basket with a bonus foul before allowing Jaren Jackson Jr. twice and Cam Spencer to complete this crazy run with a layup to make it 88-78.

Stunned, the Wizards still found a way to come back, between two 3-pointers by Bub Carrington, Justin Champagne and a basket by Marvin Bagley III to bring Washington back to +6 (97-91). This time, Bilal Coulibaly’s team-mates managed to stay on course until the end, between Justin Champagne’s fresh three-pointer and the end of the match masterfully led by CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton. The two veterans scored 12 of their team’s final 14 points to lead them to safety, where Memphis lacked lucidity and composure at the end, especially on the free throw line (116-112).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Alex Sarr level against Jaren Jackson Jr. The Frenchman and the interior of the Grizzlies fought hard under the panels, and Alex Sarr did not back down, on the contrary! If Jaren Jackson Jr. remained a constant threat throughout the match, the Wizards’ pivot also had a great performance with his 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 6 blocks, which is his new career high.

CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton in bullot. That’s why they’re there: to end tight games by scoring decisive baskets. If they were regularly the target of criticism, CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton got the job done last night by leading the Wizards in “money time” to defeat these Grizzlies, by 16 and 10 points, respectively. Khris Middleton, however, started the match more than discreetly, and in the end his 6/6 and the last two shots allowed Washington to secure the victory.

Ja Morant will try anything. In line with Friday’s rematch against Milwaukee, the Grizzlies’ leader showed concern, involvement and determination. His first action of the match, when he received a lobbed pass from Santi Aldama, set the tone. It wasn’t all perfect (as his technical foul was picked up before halftime), but it was a good version of Ja Morant who was on the court last night, and who struggled until the end, as if on his final desperation three-pointer to maintain a semblance of suspense with 6 seconds left.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.