Quick Recap: Grizzlies Take Down the Wizards 125-111

The goal was simple for the Memphis Grizzlies heading into Tuesday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards - win, and you finish the first half of the season at .500. With two matchups remaining in the first half of the 2021 NBA season, could the Grizzlies could secure a win in the nations capital?

First Quarter:

The Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards put on an offense clinic in the first quarter when they weren’t turning it over. The Grizzlies and Wizards had a combined 12 turnovers in the first quarter alone, but despite that, both teams shot right at 50% from the field. The Grizzlies led the Wizards 35-33.

Second Quarter:

The second quarter, the Wizards would crumble on both ends, as the Grizzlies ramped up their intensity and focus on both ends of the floor. De’Anthony Melton would shoot lights out for the Grizzlies in the first half, as he would drop 17 first-half points on 5/5 shooting from three.

The Grizzlies would go on a 22-4 run in the second quarter, and outscore the Wizards 36-23 in the second quarter leading to a 71-56 Grizzlies halftime lead.

Third Quarter:

The Grizzlies continued to ramp up their intensity in the third quarter with that 15 point lead on the Wizards. Washington tried to get the ball moving offensively, but similar to Houston’s situation on Sunday night, the Wizards just couldn’t hit shots, and relied on the paint. The Grizzlies made the third quarter a defensive quarter, and that favors their style of play. The Grizzlies only allowed the Wizards to get 22 points in the third quarter, and led Washington 96-78 heading to the 4th quarter.

Fourth Quarter:

The Wizards went on quite the fourth quarter run to cut the Grizzlies lead down to then points. For the Wizards, they just couldn’t get the stops down the stretch to get over that ten-point deficit. The Grizzlies would close out the Wizards at home on Tuesday night 125-111.

Full Stats:

Ja Morant - 35 points, 10 assists, 11/18 FG, in 33 minutes

Dillon Brooks - 20 points, 8/19 FG, in 31 minutes

De’Anthony Melton - 20 points, 6/11 FG (6/10 from three), 5 assists, and 4 rebounds

The Grizzlies will be back in action on Thursday night as they return home to close out the first half of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedEx Forum.

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