The script was taking a similar route as the Memphis Grizzlies’ season-opening win on Oct. 22.
Just two days later, the Grizzlies found themselves facing a large deficit in the first quarter. This time, the Miami Heat jumped out to a 19-point lead.
The sequel wasn’t as good for the Grizzlies. There was no comeback. Instead, the deficit kept growing and growing.
The Grizzlies trailed by 39 points at halftime and eventually fell 146-114 to the Heat. The 39-point halftime deficit was the largest in franchise history.
“It’s a pretty embarrassing performance,” the Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells said. “The good thing about the NBA is we got another game tomorrow, so looking forward to that.”
Heat has size advantage vs Grizzlies
Miami made the first major move when it went to a double big lineup to start the game. The Heat started seven-footer Kel’el Ware at center alongside of Bam Adebayo.
The combination of Ware and Adebayo was physically overwhelming.
When Memphis had to put extra bodies on Ware and Adebayo to box out, Heat wings Andrew Wiggins and Jaime Jacquez Jr. benefited. The duo of Wiggins and Jacquez combined for 17 rebounds.
“They were flying in there,” the Grizzlies Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “They were active. . . . It’s tough. They’re an active, physical team.”
Off night for Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr.
This Grizzlies team’s success was already going to be reliant on the play of All-Stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Recent roster injuries have only increased the need for the duo to be great.
Neither player had a great night against Miami.
Jackson picked up four first-half fouls for the second straight game, and he lost the matchup against Adebayo.
Morant was one of the lone bright spots early in the game. As the night went on, Morant’s efficiency fell off. He finished the night with 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting.
The Grizzlies shot 40% compared to Miami’s 53.9% on the night.
“I’m not watching none of (the film),” Morant said. My message after the game to coach was simple. I just got to make sure we all better tomorrow.”
Grizzlies have a bad defensive performance
Miami was scoring at will during large portions of the game. The Heat eclipsed 40 points in each of the first two quarters.
Memphis struggled shooting 3-pointers, finishing 13-for-45. Miami made 19 of its 40 3-point attempts.
The same dominance carried over to the paint. Miami finished with a 72-44 advantage in paint points.
“Just on-ball pressure, being in the right spots and the help has got to come,” Jackson said. “The help has got to be there early at all times. When people are driving, you got to be able to do something.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
