Pelicans Topple Grizzlies with Second Half Comeback

Posted on March 21, 2017 by Carmen Patton

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The Memphis Grizzlies started a four game road trip in New Orleans tonight. After a rocky start to the month of March resulting in a five game losing streak, the Grizzlies had gained some momentum on a four game winning streak and were looking to make it five when they left Smoothie King Center. The Grizzlies came into the Smoothie King hoping to have defeated the Pelicans 3-1 this season. Three words as to why that didn’t occur: DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins.

Grizzlies led the Pelicans 41-34 at the half. They were able to hold the Pelicans to 28.6 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from three. Meanwhile, the Grizz shot 41.9 percent from the field but only a mere 17.6 percent from three. Then, the dreaded third quarter happened. If they struggle in the third quarter, they typically give up the win. The Pels outscored the Grizz 32 to 13 in that quarter, and though offense found its way back to the Grizz in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough for them to recover from the abysmal third quarter. The Grizz went on to start off their four game road trip with a loss to the Pels, 95-82.

"3rd Quarter came back and bit us again" – Coach Fizz on the @memgrizz 3rd Quarter struggles against the Pelicans. #GrindCity pic.twitter.com/aCq0HJ2QEz

— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) March 22, 2017

The Grizzlies lost to the Pelicans right before the All Star Break, but that loss was to the “Pre-Boogie” Pelicans. The Pelicans have always been a difficult match-up for the Grizzlies. Now with Cousins as a part of their squad, it appears they will be even more difficult.

About the Grizzlies…

Mike Conley led all Grizz scorers with 16 points (6-14), 3 assists and 6 rebounds. Marc Gasol and JaMychal Green were the other starters with double digit scoring. Gasol ended with 10 points (5-13), 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Green had foul trouble, but he managed to end the game with 12 points (4-6), 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Vince Carter had 4 points (2-9), and Wayne Selden Jr. (2-6), in his first start with the Grizzlies, had 4 points as well. Selden started in place of Tony Allen, who was out due to knee soreness.

Troy Daniels led the Grizz bench scorers with 12 points (4-8), 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.

TD
FOR
THREE!#GrindCity pic.twitter.com/B1cLMQcnbO

— FOX Sports Grizzlies (@GrizzliesOnFSSE) March 22, 2017

Andrew Harrison had 10 points (3-5) and 4 rebounds. Brandan Wright chipped in 7 points on a perfect shooting night (3-3), Zach Randolph added 4 points (2-11), and James Ennis III contributed 3 points (2-5).

About the Pelicans…

DeMarcus Cousins was the star of the night for the Pelicans with 41 points and 17 rebounds, despite having 5 fouls. Anthony Davis followed him with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Jrue Holiday (11 points) and Jordan Crawford (10 points off the bench) were the other Pelicans scoring in double digits.

Tonight Grizz Nation came off of a high and fell back to reality after losing to yet another team below 0.500. Another game that the Grizzlies could’ve and should’ve won resulted in a loss. This isn’t a loss where the Grizz should necessarily scratch their heads about though. The reason for the loss was simply and succinctly stated by my cohort, Sharon.

Plainly, they had no answer for Boogie.

— Shy (@SharonShyBrown) March 22, 2017

The team’s three leading scorers for the season (Gasol, Conley, Randolph) combined for less points than Cousins scored alone. They won’t win many games when that happens. The Grizz have to own this loss and move on because there are more games to be played.

If you’re on the playoff watch, that means that they’re still in 7th in the Western Conference, 0.5 games behind the Thunder in 6th, and 6.5 games ahead of the Nuggets in 8th. There are 3 games separating the Grizz in 7th from the Jazz in 4th.

The Grizzlies continue their road trip on Thursday in San Antonio against the Spurs, where they’re currently 2-0 in the season series. Let’s hope the Grizz can bounce back from this loss and not fall back into a skid especially as the season draws to a close. Get some rest Grizz Nation…we’ve got miles to go before we sleep.