Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger decided to rest most of his starters and the Washington Wizards took advantage of the Memphis reserves leading to a 107-87 victory. The Grizzlies are the second best team in the Western Conference, but because of recent play and the second game of a back-to-back they conceded defeat to a Wizards group that is starting to play better ball of late.
John Wall put together a nice game with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including seven rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes of play. Marcin Gortat continues his hot streak as he led the team with 22 points and nine rebounds. Gortat also recorded three steals while blocking three shots.
Bradley Beal was the one player for Washington that never got going. He finished the game with nine points on 4-of-11 shooting. However, the veteran Paul Pierce stepped up with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including three three-pointers, in only 24 minutes of play. Drew Gooden started in place of Nene, who missed the game with personal reasons, and was active with 13 points and five rebounds. Ramon Sessions had one of his better games as a Wizard with nine points, six rebounds, and six assists.
It wasn’t shocking that the Grizzlies struggled tonight. Only three players scored in the double-figures as Memphis shot an abysmal 38.8 percent from the field. JaMychal Green and Jarnell Stokes led the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points apiece while combing for 14 rebounds. Kosta Koufos added 10 points, and Jeff Green struggled with eight points on 3-of-8 shooting.
It was a team effort for the Wizards tonight as they shot 50 percent from the field, and of the 40 made field goals the Wizards recorded an assist on 25 of them. The two advantages that really gave Washington the edge was in turnovers and fast break points. The Grizzlies turned the ball over 21 times leading to 27 Wizards points. Washington had the fast break working tonight as they scored 23 points on the break, and John Wall was in the middle of it all.
With Marc Gasol (rest), Zach Randolph (rest), Tony Allen (rest), and Mike Conley (ankle) all out it didn’t seem likely the Grizzlies would have a chance. That wasn’t the case early as Memphis led Washington 33-26 after the first quarter thanks to very hot shooting. That was the extent of the Grizzlies good fortune tonight as the Wizards came out in the second quarter and took over the game. Washington outscored Memphis 34-14 in the quarter including 16-2 run led by John Wall.
The Wizards would cruise past the Grizzlies in the second half and held a 27-point lead at one point. This was the second consecutive game Washington held a team under 40 percent shooting, and won by 20-plus points. Even with Memphis down their best players the Wizards still took care of business and they look like they are turning the corner towards the end of the regular season.
Washington stays home and will face the Sacramento Kings Saturday night at 7:00 PM EST. Memphis ended their four-game road trip tonight and will head home to face the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night at 8:00 PM EST.