News - Grizzlies Struggle to Hold Leads in Europe Encounter

The Memphis Grizzlies are encountering difficulties in maintaining large leads, a worrying pattern as they played against the Orlando Magic in Berlin, resulting in a 118-111 defeat. Despite establishing a 20-point advantage in the first half, a poor third quarter left the Grizzlies scoring only 12 points, allowing the Magic to stage a comeback. Recently, Memphis has given up leads of 21, 16, and 20 points in their last three games, which include two losses. This game in Berlin precedes another matchup against Orlando, scheduled in London at the O2 Arena. With seven losses in their last nine games, the Grizzlies are keen to address their inconsistent performances. A key absence is their star guard, Ja Morant, who has missed six games due to a calf injury, and his participation in the upcoming game on Sunday is uncertain. Discussions about a potential trade involving Morant have surfaced, leading to questions about his future with the team. Grizzlies' forward Santi Aldama expressed the team's frustrations regarding their struggle to maintain performance throughout the entire game. Aldama stated, "We had some really good minutes, but it's the same problem we've had all season. We're not able to play for 48 minutes, and that's why we end up losing the game." Memphis Coach Tuomas Iisalo expressed optimism about Morant's return for the London game, noting that Morant participated in Friday's practice, with the final decision depending on how his calf responds and his overall comfort level. In Berlin, Jaren Jackson Jr. led with a 30-point performance, with 23 points in the first half. However, the Orlando Magic gained momentum in the third quarter, driven by dynamic plays from Anthony Black, including a remarkable dunk over Grizzlies defenders, tipping the balance. This pivotal moment gave Orlando the lead, which they held onto to claim victory. Paolo Banchero aided Orlando's win with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Desmond Bane, formerly with Memphis, contributed 13 points. Despite a shaky start, allowing 39 points in the first quarter, Orlando tightened their defense, restricting the Grizzlies to only 40 points over the next two quarters. Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the necessity for faster transition defense and better finishing at the rim, crucial elements for maintaining pressure in such fast-paced games. The upcoming rematch in London presents the Grizzlies with a chance to redeem themselves and break this concerning trend of losing leads.