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Memphis Grizzlies' comeback attempt after Jaren Jackson Jr. ejection falls short vs Jazz

damichael cole, memphis commercial appeal
·6 min read

Nothing was going the Memphis Grizzlies' way as the Utah Jazz piled up free throws and Jaren Jackson Jr. was ejected.

Suddenly, the Grizzlies stormed back from down 21 points and tied the game midway through the fourth quarter. They did enough to get back in the game, but they couldn't get over the hump and lost 127-121 at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies (1-8) spoiled a 37-point performance from Desmond Bane that included eight assists. Utah (3-7) held on by making 18 3-pointers and scoring 76 points in a hot-shooting first half.

Jackson's ejection, combined with Marcus Smart fouling out midway through the fourth quarter, put the Grizzlies in a tough spot in the closing moments.

Fourth quarter

Final: Jazz 127, Grizzlies 121

5:39 left: Marcus Smart has fouled out. The Grizzlies are now minus two starters in Smart and Jackson.

7:31 left: The Grizzlies once trailed 101-80, and it's now a 109-106 Jazz lead. Desmond Bane is up to 31 points, and Lauri Markkanen leads Utah with 22 of his own.

11:02 left: The Grizzlies trailed by as many as 21 points, but they went on a run after Jaren Jackson Jr. was ejected. Memphis will need to replace Jackson's production, but a game the momentum has flipped. Memphis is down 105-98.

EJECTED: Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. ejected against Jazz after arguing no-call

Third quarter

7:11 left: Timeout Grizzlies. Memphis trails 88-74 after an uncontested dunk by the Jazz. Utah is shooting 64.4% from the field with six players in double figures.

8:39 left: The Grizzlies keep scoring, but so do the Jazz. Memphis trails 82-71.

Second quarter

Halftime: Jazz 76, Grizzlies 63

Memphis is generating better offense, but the defense is not having a good day. Five Jazz players are in double figures, and Utah has made 12 3-pointers.

The Jazz have scored 78 and 76 points in two first halves against the Grizzlies this season. Each time, the Grizzlies struggled to identify shooters.

3:54 left: Desmond Bane has 15 points to lead the Grizzlies. Memphis trails 61-55 in large part because of 60.6% shooting from the Jazz. John Konchar hade two big 3-pointers to keep the Grizzlies close.

10:45 left: The Jazz have started the second quarter on an 8-2 run with two contested 3-pointers. Memphis is doing a better job of contesting 3-pointers today, but the Jazz are knocking down shots. Memphis trails 42-34.

First quarter

End of first quarter: Jazz 34, Grizzlies 32

Memphis got a big quarter from Desmond Bane, who led the team with 10 points and four assists. Utah hit 22 3-pointers in the first meeting against Memphis, and it has hit five so far on 12 attempts.

8:17 left: The Grizzlies have jumped out to a quick start and lead the Jazz 13-6. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. each have four points, and Jacob Gilyard knocked down a 3-pointer for his first points.

Jacob Gilyard making first career start

Starting Grizzlies forward Ziaire Williams is out against the Jazz. The Grizzlies are replacing him with point guard Jacob Gilyard, who will be making his first career start in the NBA. Gilyard started last season with the Memphis Hustle and has been a member of the Grizzlies rotation in recent games. Adding Gilyard to the starting lineup is likely to get both Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane off the ball more, with hopes of creating a more efficient offense.

Grizzlies vs Jazz

If there has been one positive to take away from the Memphis Grizzlies' 1-7 start, it's the fact that almost all of their games have been close at some point in the fourth quarter.

The one exception was a 24-point loss to the Utah Jazz where the starters were removed before the beginning of the fourth quarter. Memphis has a chance to get its revenge against Utah tonight at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies have not won a game at home yet this season, and the Jazz (2-7) are winless on the road. Something has got to give.

Utah beat Memphis last week after making 22 3-pointers. Since that loss, Grizzlies opponents have not made more than 14 3-pointers in a game.

Memphis will be without Xavier Tillman Sr. and Derrick Rose while they continue to recover from left knee injuries. John Konchar and Ziaire Williams are both listed as questionable.

Jazz center Walker Kessler will be out. Instead of replacing him with another big man, the Jazz inserted rookie sensation Keyontae George into the starting lineup. Memphis guarded Jazz start Lauri Markkanen with Marcus Smart in the first meeting, but since he'll slide down to power forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. could draw the assignment on Friday.

This is also the Grizzlies' second in-season tournament game and the first at FedExForum. Whoever loses tonight's game will have the worst record in the Western Conference and will be in last place in the in-season tournament group.

Follow along for live updates.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Jazz today?

  • TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

  • Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Jazz start time

  • Date: Friday, Nov. 10

  • Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Jazz betting odds

  • SPREAD: Grizzlies -5

  • MONEY LINE: Grizzlies -198, Jazz +166

  • OVER/UNDER: 229.5

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies' comeback attempt falls short in loss to Utah Jazz