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The Memphis Grizzlies, coming off of a short-handed loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, were back in FedExForum to take on a Detroit Pistons that would be short handed themselves. Detroit, who was coming off of a big victory in Denver Sunday night, was looking to continue their winning ways. Which team would prevail?
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Jonas Valanciunas and Dillon Brooks would come out the gate aggressive for the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter. The pair scoring eight points a piece in the frame, pushing the Pistons to do more on the offensive end as well as with their defensive presence in the paint.
Memphis would lead the Pistons 36-32 following the first quarter. Memphis shot 66% from the field in the first 12 minutes.
❌⬜️⬜️⬜️
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 4, 2020
Us: 36 | @DetroitPistons: 32
DB & JV lead the way with 8 points. pic.twitter.com/VyGfcVvaLb
Six minutes into the second quarter, and the Grizzlies had only score three points. Memphis was getting outscored 11-3 through the first six minutes of the second quarter and the home team was trailing 43-39.
Big minutes came off the Grizzlies bench for Tyus Jones, as Jones would lead the Grizzlies on a run towards the end of the second quarter for Memphis to regain the lead. Both Memphis and Detroit would have 7 in the first half, and both teams would lose those leads. After 24 minutes, the Grizzlies and Pistons were deadlocked at 53.
HALFTIME
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) February 4, 2020
All tied at 53.
JV - 14 points, 6 rebounds
Tyus - 11 points, 4 assists
Brooks - 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
JJJ - 8 points
The Grizzlies started the third quarter on a 7-0 run, forcing the Pistons to call a timeout after coming out so fast. The Grizzlies needed to get out in transition to get easier baskets, and Memphis did that to start the second half.
The Grizzlies and Pistons went about four minutes in the third quarter without scoring a point. Memphis missed seven straight, and Detroit missed 10 straight shots. Detroit only score one bucket in the last 7:16 of the third quarter as Memphis outscored the Pistons 19-10. Memphis led 72-63 after three quarters in FedExForum.
END OF 3RD
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) February 4, 2020
Pistons 63
Grizz 72
JV - 16 points, 11 rebounds
Brooks - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
JJJ - 12 points
Tyus - 11 points, 4 assists
The Grizzlies started the fourth quarter with defense continuing to be the key to their success. Detroit started playing like a team in their second game of a back-to-back, and as short-handed as they were Memphis pushed their lead to double-digits.
The Memphis Grizzlies would end up defeating the Pistons by a final score of 96-82.
FINAL
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) February 4, 2020
Pistons 82
Grizz 96
JV - 26 points, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks
Brooks - 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists
JJJ - 14 points, 5 rebounds
Tyus - 13 points, 5 assists
Ja - 12 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds
Final Stats:
Jonas Valanciunas: 26 pts, 17 reb, 13/19 FG
Dillon Brooks: 15 pts, 7/15 FG
Jaren Jackson Jr.: 14 pts, 5 rebounds
The Memphis Grizzlies will be back in action as they hit the road to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.