Memphis Grizzlies defeat the short-handed Pistons

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?

Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images

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.

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.

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.

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 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.