Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, can learn from loss to Luka Doncic, Mavs

Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was strategic with his wording after Tuesday’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks. It was a game in which the Grizzlies led by 15 points in the fourth quarter before allowing 26 free throws in that frame.

Those free throws played a key role in the Mavs snapping the Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak, 121-116, at the American Airlines Center.

Dallas (14-8) finished the game with 44 free throw attempts. The Grizzlies (14-8) finished with 14. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Dallas’ 26-3 free throw advantage in the fourth quarter was its largest difference since 2015.

“I don’t know how there can be such a disparity in an NBA Cup game,” Jenkins said. “I’ll be careful with my words and everything I do, but in an NBA Cup game I don’t know how you get a team to shoot 30 more free throws.”

The free throws will play a big role after Tuesday’s result, but that’s not the only reason Memphis lost. In fact, Dallas shot 30 for 44 on these free throws, a rate of 68%.

Memphis had several chances to tie the game but failed.

Tuesday’s loss shouldn’t be too difficult for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies won each of their last five games by double digits.

Memphis will have a lot to learn from analyzing Tuesday’s loss. There were several positive and negative aspects.

Rotational kinks in crunch time

The Grizzlies led 106-95 when Jenkins subbed in out guard Ja Morant and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter. Just two minutes later, with 5:43 left, the All-Star duo was back in the game.

At that point, the Grizzlies’ lead had dwindled to six, 106-100, and the offense couldn’t score a point without the duo on the court.

Jenkins played minutes in the final plays of the fourth quarter without Jackson and Morant on the field, but that’s easier to get away with against inferior competition. Dallas had at least Kyrie Irving or Doncic on the field the entire game.

It makes more sense to take out Jackson or Morant for a breather than to remove both. Especially when Doncic, Irving and PJ Washington all play more minutes than Grizzlies players.

The depth is real

Doncic, Washington and Irving all played more minutes than the Grizzlies’ players because Memphis has fantastic depth. That was the case again for most of Tuesday. Memphis outscored Dallas 38-22 in the third quarter and built a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Depth is a strength for Memphis, but the Grizzlies must learn not to rely on that depth too much when it comes time to shorten the rotation in the final minutes.

Offensive execution late in the game

Dallas left the door open in its comeback for Memphis with missed free throws and 25 turnovers. The Grizzlies were sometimes unable to take advantage of this as they were repeatedly called for fouls and had 19 turnovers themselves.

But just as important as the free throws was the offensive implementation late in the game. Even after Dallas cut the Grizzlies’ lead to six with Morant and Jackson, Memphis still had its star duo in the final five minutes.

Desmond Bane also shone with 19 points. He returned to the game with five fouls and Memphis led with six fouls. That lead grew to eight after Morant hit a 3-pointer with 3:34 left.

Memphis was outscored 18-5 in the final three minutes. The Grizzlies made two of their final nine shots in that period.

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Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, can learn from loss to Luka Doncic, Mavs

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