There was a familiar sight Sunday with Ja Morant on the sidelines. For the first time since Dec. 7, he was around the Memphis Grizzlies and engaged on the bench.
Wearing an orange sweater and jeans with orange starts, Morant looked ready for a Christmas party. Dillon Brooks brought the gifts and Damian Lillard tried to be the Grinch.
The two went back-and-forth in the fourth quarter but it was Norman Powell who gave the Grizzlies coal with a pair of late free throws. Desmond Bane’s game-tying 3-point attempt was off as the Grizzlies lost 105-100.
Here’s what we learned as the Grizzlies’ five-game winning streak ended.
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Dillon Brooks nearly does it all
With Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. having off nights, it was Brooks trying to will the Grizzlies almost by himself. Not only did he defend Lillard, he was also the Grizzlies’ main scoring option.
Brooks had a career-high 37 points. He had 22 points in the second half and attacked the Trail Blazers seemingly every time he had the ball. He also helped hold Lillard to 3-9 shooting in the second half.
Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups praised Brooks’ competitiveness pregame as something “you just don’t see every night anymore.” Brooks showed it once again but it wasn’t enough as his will was countered by more help on Portland’s side.
Dame Time was wrong time for Memphis
Damian Lillard had 21 points when the teams met last week but Lillard matched that in the first half. This time around, the Grizzlies couldn’t slow him down as much.
Lillard finished with 32 points and did his damage getting to the foul line with 12 free throw attempts. He drew three fouls on Brooks and finishing shooting 9-for-19 from the field.
The Trail Blazers also outrebounded Memphis 51-33, an advantage the Grizzlies have won in previous games without Morant. Even if Lillard didn’t go supernova, he did enough and the Trail Blazers got revenge.
Norman Powell, new Grizz killer?
Powell stepped in CJ McCollum’s shoes and tormented the Grizzlies alongside Lillard. It wasn’t just scoring 28 points, it was how he did it.
Powell made a 3-pointer with 2:47 left to put the Trail Blazers up 95-94 after Bane gave the Grizzlies a lead with a three-pointer. His jumper with 30.9 left gave the Trail Blazers a 101-97 lead and after Brooks made three free throws, Powell made two more to keep the Trail Blazers ahead.
McCollum missed the game with a collapsed right lung but Powell did what McCollum’s done to the Grizzlies several times. Break their hearts as the No. 2 to Lillard being the ace.
Quiet nights from Jackson and Bane
This was a game the Grizzlies needed more from their starters. De’Anthony Melton had nine points, and five rebounds off the bench while Kyle Anderson had 11 points and four steals.
Jackson? 11 points while fouling out. Bane? 1-for-8 on 3-pointers and just nine points. Steven Adams had 13 points and nine rebounds but the Grizzlies needed more from two of their big three without Morant.
Against Sacramento, Jackson, Bane and Brooks each had over 21 points. Jackson and Bane combined for 20 points Sunday and it wasn’t enough to overcome
Return of Morant…on the sidelines
For fans hoping Morant will return soon, stay patient. During pregame warmups, he took stationary jump shots while walking around to different spots.
He took his time and so are the Grizzlies, who couldn’t assist with his rehab as he was in isolation. Coach Taylor Jenkins said the Grizzlies performance team began work Sunday to figure out a timeline for him to be back on the court
“He’s getting very close (to returning) and it’s very encouraging,” Jenkins said.
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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com
