Grizzlies Grind Out a Win Against Shorthanded Pelicans
Memphis pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night, a result that felt bigger than just two points. It wasn't pretty, not by a long shot, but the Grizzlies, fueled by a relentless Jaren Jackson Jr., found a way to win a tight one against a Pelicans side clearly missing some firepower. That's the mark of a team that knows how to scrap, even when their own offense isn't firing on all cylinders. The FedExForum crowd, as always, was electric, pushing them over the line in the final minutes.
The first quarter was a defensive slugfest. Both teams struggled to find their rhythm, with the score hovering around 18-16 for what felt like an eternity. Desmond Bane, usually so reliable, looked a little off, forcing a couple of contested jumpers early. New Orleans, meanwhile, tried to run through Brandon Ingram, but the Grizzlies' perimeter defense, particularly Dillon Brooks on Ingram, was suffocating. It was clear from the jump that points would be at a premium.
Things opened up slightly in the second. Memphis started to get some easy looks in transition after a few Pelican turnovers. Tyus Jones, running the point with his usual calm demeanor, dished out four assists in the quarter, including a beautiful no-look pass to Steven Adams for an easy dunk. But the Pelicans, even without Zion Williamson (still nursing that ankle sprain from last week), kept it close. CJ McCollum hit a couple of crucial threes, keeping New Orleans within five points at the half. That's a proof of Willie Green's coaching; his team never quit, even when facing adversity.
Jackson Jr.'s Dominance and Clutch Play
Here's the thing: Jaren Jackson Jr. was the difference maker. The big man finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. He was everywhere. In the third quarter, when the Pelicans started to make a run, cutting the lead to just one, Jackson hit back-to-back threes, pushing the advantage back to seven. Those weren't easy shots either; he created space and knocked them down with confidence. That's the kind of offensive punch Memphis needs from him consistently if they want to make any real noise in the playoffs.
But it wasn't just his scoring. His defensive presence was immense. He altered countless shots in the paint, forcing the Pelicans to settle for tougher looks. Trey Murphy III, who usually thrives on drives to the basket, found himself blocked twice by Jackson in the second half alone. That kind of rim protection changes the entire dynamic of a game. It allows the perimeter defenders to be more aggressive, knowing they have a safety net behind them.
The final possession was classic Grizzlies. Up 2-1 with 15 seconds left, the Pelicans had the ball. Ingram drove hard to the basket, but Jackson met him at the rim, forcing a tough fadeaway that clanked off the back iron. Bane grabbed the rebound, and that was it. A hard-fought, ugly win, but a win nonetheless. You can complain about the aesthetics all you want, but the scoreboard doesn't lie.
Pelicans' Missed Opportunity and Upcoming Challenges
For New Orleans, this one stings. Losing a close game on the road, especially with Williamson sidelined, is tough. They showed a lot of heart, particularly McCollum, who ended with 22 points and 7 assists. Larry Nance Jr. also had a strong outing off the bench, grabbing 9 rebounds and providing some much-needed energy. They just couldn't get enough consistent offense to overcome Jackson's monster performance.
Willie Green's tactical approach was sound, trying to exploit the Grizzlies' occasional tendency to overhelp on defense. He ran a lot of pick-and-rolls with McCollum, trying to draw Jackson away from the paint. It worked in spurts, but not enough. Losing Williamson for any stretch is a huge blow, and it puts immense pressure on Ingram and McCollum to carry the scoring load. They need more from their supporting cast, especially from deep. The Pelicans shot a dismal 28% from three-point range tonight, which simply isn't going to cut it against top teams.
This loss drops the Pelicans to 37-32, putting them precariously close to the play-in tournament picture. They head home for a brutal stretch of games, including matchups against the Suns and the Nuggets. They need to find a way to win a few of those if they want to avoid falling further down the Western Conference standings. Their schedule is not forgiving, and their margin for error is shrinking by the day. They might regret not having a healthy Williamson for this crucial part of the season.
What This Means for Memphis's Playoff Push
This win for Memphis is massive. It pushes their record to 40-29, solidifying their position in the top six in the West. Every win at this point in the season feels like it's worth double. They've been a bit inconsistent lately, stringing together a few wins, then dropping a couple. Tonight's performance, even if it wasn't a masterpiece, shows they can win ugly, which is a crucial trait for a playoff team.
Taylor Jenkins deserves credit for sticking with his defensive principles. They didn't panic when the Pelicans made their runs. They kept grinding, kept forcing tough shots, and eventually, their talent and depth won out. The rotation was also interesting, with Santi Aldama getting some valuable minutes in the second unit. He hit a big three in the fourth quarter that helped stem a Pelicans run. Those little contributions add up.
The Grizzlies face a tough road trip next, with games against the Warriors and the Lakers. If they can come out of that stretch with a winning record, it'll be a huge confidence booster. This team has the talent to make a deep playoff run, but they need to find a more consistent offensive flow. Relying solely on Jackson Jr.'s heroics every night isn't a sustainable model. But for tonight, it was enough. Sometimes, just finding a way to win is all that matters.
Bold Prediction: The Grizzlies will finish as a top-four seed in the Western Conference, fueled by Jackson Jr.'s continued ascension to an All-NBA level defender and a more consistent offensive output from Bane.