Checkers and the Miracle Grizzlies

Although it doesn't grab the headlines or the stars Highlights, The Memphis Grizzlies' three-game winning streak is current news in the NBA. For Tennessee to remain competitive and separate itself from the worst group (it has 18 wins, which is equivalent to a place in the East Play in it) has a bit of a miracle and a lot of rewards for the great work done by the coach, Taylor Jenkins, and a group of players who decided to show their faces. Stay standing.

Against magic (107-106) It took Joe Ingles to miss a three-pointer in the final seconds To close this third win in a row (18-27) and air, in the process, the bad moment for those of Central Florida: seven defeats in nine games and 23-22, already in eighth place in the East. It was also necessary for the threes to come in the first half (12/22) and for Jaren Jackson Jr., the star who doesn't always look like it, to be at his best and going crazy, with his combination of mobility and skill. Size for the opposing defense: 30 points with the final decisive basket with 81 seconds left in the game. But grizzlies They are without Ja Morant, Desmond Payne, Marcus Smart, Derrick Rose, Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. Four starters are missing, two of the main three (Morant, Payne), this year's big signing (Smart) and the interior rim that was used to protect Jackson Jr. (Adams, Clark). But grizzlies They wonwith another strange fact: this was only their fifth win at home (5-15) while outside of FedExForum they have a positive tally (13-12).

Out of necessity, they chose a five-man lineup that everyone can shoot for, with Vince Williams Jr., a second-round pick in 2022, making good use of that opportunity. With a proven striker like Luke Kennard (15 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists) and… Santi Aldama whose versatility and ability to communicate are vital for his team at the moment. The Spanish striker finished the match with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The Grizzlies minimized everyone's contributions, also from the second unit led by Zaire Williams, and earned another hard-fought win of tremendous value.

For magic there was no good news. Jalen Suggs (left knee issues) went down and no one noticed. Paolo Banchero has been accused of fouling while trying to stop Jaren Jackson (Teammates are in a very disappointing position Team USA last summer) but he showed up at the right time, He added 12 points in the final quarter and was (in the end 27+5+6) the main reason his team survived until the last possession.Which Engels forgave. A few steps below their best form in the first third of the season, the Magic are a weak team right now, a team that has fallen into the clutches of those proud Bears who refuse to accept that. Everything must go wrong. That's the summary of what has been a dark season for the Grizzlies, one in which wins like these have enormous merit.