The NBA regular season continued, with the West ushering in a strong and weak conversation, with the Grizzlies sitting at home to play the Pelicans.
The Grizzlies have been low this season, and after the core Morant suffered an injury, the team has gone all the way, and after Morante's return, the team has gone all the way to the second position in the West, the team has both offensive and defensive, but the last game was upset against the Rockets.
The Pelicans have also had a series of twists and turns this season, originally planning to give up this season, and as a result, after completing a series of reinforcements on the trade deadline, the team's combat strength improved significantly, ranking tenth in the West before the game.
Due to injury problems, Ingram missed the game, and facing the Pelicans, who lacked a major core, the Grizzlies showed their strength as a team, and the opening was full of firepower, and the point difference was quickly stretched to double digits.
The Pelicans were completely confused and didn't give a response strategy at all, which led to the Grizzlies taking a huge 20-point lead with 6 minutes left in the first quarter.
Fortunately, McCollum stepped up and single-handedly scored 13 points in the second half of the first quarter, helping the team narrow the point gap to 10 points.
In the second quarter, McCollum continued his fiery offensive performance, helping the team to close the point difference to only 6 points.
But since then McCollum's feel has declined, coupled with the Grizzlies blossoming inside and outside, the Pelicans are obviously alone, and the point difference has once again been stretched to double digits.
Especially in the second half of the second quarter, the Pelicans were completely crushed by the Grizzlies on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, and the point difference was quickly stretched to nearly 20 points, and the Grizzlies entered the half-time with a 19-point lead.
The situation on the court has not changed in the slightest, the Grizzlies are still blossoming inside and outside, everyone can make a difference on the offensive end, and completely regard the Pelicans defense as nothing.
Not only did the Pelicans lack defensive ability, but the offensive end could only rely on McCollum alone, and the point difference was quickly stretched out to 30 points.
The game lost suspense early, the final quarter was reduced to two teams training time, and the Grizzlies, who finally played at home, won a 21-point victory 132-111.
With a win in this game, the Grizzlies continued to suppress the Warriors, ranking second in the West with 45 wins and 22 losses, 0.5 wins ahead of the Warriors.
After the ups and downs of the season, the Grizzlies' big three have gradually taken shape, of which Morant is naturally the absolute core of the team, shooting 8 of 13 from the field, and efficiently bombing 24 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists.
In addition, Jalen Jackson Jr. and Bane also played the role of second and third leaders, handing over 22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 22 points and 3 rebounds respectively.
Although the Grizzlies still suppress the Warriors, judging from the actual potential playoff targets, the Warriors may be blessed.
In the past period of time, the reason why the Warriors have been overtaken is that the Grizzlies have performed well on the one hand, and on the other hand, the team has suffered injuries and run-in problems within the team, and the team's competitiveness has declined seriously.
But ranking third in the West is not necessarily second best than the West, because the third probability will be against the Nuggets or lone rangers, and the second most likely to play against the Clippers, this season's Clippers are all soldiers, the team is full of resilience, and George is about to return, and the little card is also expected to return in the playoffs.
The Grizzlies' defeat of the Pelicans also allowed the Lakers to reap the benefits, because the Lakers are currently in ninth place in the West, the Pelicans are in tenth place, and the two teams are only 1 win before the game, and if the Pelicans win, the two teams are only 0.5 wins.
But after the loss, the Lakers suddenly gained a 1.5-game lead, which undoubtedly provided more running-in and respite for the Purple and Gold Army.
Otherwise, according to the Lakers' recent state, as well as the overall performance of the Pelicans, the Lakers are very likely to fall to the tenth place in the West, and as the pressure increases, it may even fall out of the playoff ranks, and the Lakers are currently 3 wins ahead of the 11th-place Blazers.