Ja Morant, Grizzlies Roll Past Bulls as Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, More Sit Out for CHI

AP Photo/Brandon Dill

The Memphis Grizzlies just keep on rolling.

After seeing their 11-game winning streak snapped Friday, the Grizz responded by hammering a short-handed Chicago Bulls team Monday, 119-106, behind big nights from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.

NBA @NBA

Ja doing Ja things live on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Ss8NRXkP6n

Memphis Grizzlies @memgrizz

shooting ultralight beams.

9 in the first half for @DBane0625 pic.twitter.com/WVLtNUfUeP

Since starting the year 9-10, the Grizzlies (31-15) have won 22 of their last 27 contests.

And yes, Morant did something special. He always does:

NBA @NBA

🤯 JA GOES 360!@memgrizz live on TNT! pic.twitter.com/Y2lfTXvoPN

Charles P. Pierce @CharlesPPierce

Ja Morant just did a damn magic trick in midair.

The Grizzlies didn’t face Chicago’s full complement of talent, however. Zach LaVine missed the game with a knee injury, while Lonzo Ball missed the contest with knee soreness. Alex Caruso was also out after just being cleared from the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Mark Schanowski @MarkSchanowski

Bulls need to get Caruso & Green back ASAP. The body language not good today in Memphis & they didn’t have a chance with only 10 players available & Vucevic going scoreless in the 1st half. 2 more tough games coming up vs. Cavs & Bucks.

The good news for the Bulls was that Saturday’s MRI on LaVine’s knee showed no structural damage, and he’ll be reevaluated next week.

“Well, obviously very optimistic and very grateful that it wasn’t something more,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan told reporters over the weekend. “That’s why they wanted to do the MRI, so he’ll continue to get therapy and we’ll re-evaluate him after a period of time. I don’t think it’s something that’s long-term, which is a good thing. So the biggest thing is how does he respond to therapy, treatment, those kinds of things.”

If Monday’s tough loss was any indication, however, life without LaVine—even in the short term—is going to be difficult for the Bulls.


Key Stats

Ja Morant, MEM: 25 points

Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM: 14 points, five rebounds, five blocks

Desmond Bane, MEM: 25 points

DeMar DeRozan, CHI: 24 points, five assists

Nikola Vucevic, CHI: Seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocks

Coby White, CHI: 16 points, five assists


Bane Was Feeling It

Morant is the main topic around Memphis on most days, and for good reason—he’s a highlight waiting to happen. And he was hardly chopped liver Monday.

But Bane was excellent, serving as yet another reminder of the promise the young Grizzlies boast.

Bryce Hayes @nxtprodigy

“Desmond Bane is a leading candidate for Most Improved Player and has been a borderline All-Star.” – Stan Van Gundy pic.twitter.com/3RUPSosQcO

Evan Barnes〽️ @evan_b

This is why the Grizzlies have been good since Thanksgiving. Balance. Defense. Everybody eats after Ja/Bane/JJJ get the party going.

Much better showing on national TV than Friday.

After being a rotational player as a rookie, Bane has emerged as one of Memphis’ most important players and has started every game he’s played this year. There aren’t many teams more fun to watch than the Grizz right now, and Bane is one of the reasons why.


It Wasn’t Vucevic’s Night

While LaVine is out, the Bulls are going to need DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to do the heavy lifting. While DeRozan did his part, the Bulls starting center struggled immensely, shooting just 2-of-13 from the field.

K.C. Johnson @KCJHoop

Donovan puts in four subs and Ayo (who usually is a sub). Vucevic didn’t play in 4th after 2-13 night.

Herb Lawrence @Ecnerwal23

Vucevic was sleeping through the 1st half

Vucevic, to his credit, worked hard on the glass. His shot just wasn’t falling.

The veteran has largely been the third fiddle in Chicago behind LaVine and DeRozan this season. Now, the Bulls need him to step up. He didn’t do so Monday.


What’s Next?

The Grizzlies travel to Milwaukee to face the defending champion Bucks on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Bulls will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on that same date and time.

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
MLB, Umpires Agree to New 5-Year CBA, Avoiding Work Stoppage Before 2025 Season thumbnail

MLB, Umpires Agree to New 5-Year CBA, Avoiding Work Stoppage Before 2025 Season

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 24, 2024Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesMLB and the MLB Umpires Association came to a "tentative agreement" on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement on Monday, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers.The new CBA is still pending ratification by the umpires and owners in Jan. 2025, as the previous contract between both sides
Read More
Nissan prepares a sedan with a consumption of 4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (Photo) thumbnail

Nissan prepares a sedan with a consumption of 4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (Photo)

Компанія Nissan опублікувала перші зображення седана Sylphy, який на ринку Китаю отримає фірмову силову установку e-Power. Вона являє собою поєднання бензинового двигуна і електромотора, при цьому доступу до привідних коліс ДВЗ не має. Обіцяно, що такий седан зможе витрачати менше 4 літрів палива на 100 кілометрів пробігу. Бензин буде витрачатися тільки на вироблення електрики –…
Read More
Champions League Player of the Week contenders announced thumbnail

Champions League Player of the Week contenders announced

Названы претенденты на звание лучшего игрока недели в Лиге чемпионов 30 сентября 2021, 09:42 МСК По итогам всех завершившихся встреч 2-го тура групповой стадии Лиги чемпионов сезона-2021/2022 определены четыре претендента на звание лучшего игрока недели, которыми стали следующие футболисты: 25-летний полузащитник «Баварии» Лерой Зане, который забил гол и сделал результативную передачу в матче с киевским…
Read More
Should Juventus change their winning lineup to accommodate Cambiaso? thumbnail

Should Juventus change their winning lineup to accommodate Cambiaso?

Club News December 13, 2024 - 5:45 pm Juventus’ midweek Champions League victory over Manchester City has provided a strong foundation for Thiago Motta as he prepares his squad for their upcoming Serie A clash against Venezia. Given the impressive performance against one of Europe’s top teams, sticking with a winning team would be a
Read More
Mourinho, încă o aroganță » Ce a spus despre PSG thumbnail

Mourinho, încă o aroganță » Ce a spus despre PSG

Articol de GSP - Publicat sambata, 19 februarie 2022 13:41 / Actualizat sambata, 19 februarie 2022 15:02 Jose Mourinho (59 de ani), antrenorul lui AS Roma, este la al doilea sezon în care nu participă în grupele Ligii Campionilor, însă nu pare îngrijorat de acest lucru. „Am peste 150 de meciuri în Liga Campionilor și mă…
Read More
Index Of News