On March 24, Beijing time, the Nets challenged the Grizzlies away, and Irving could play. According to NBA celebrity Shams, New York will change the private sector's vaccine policy tomorrow to allow athletes to obtain vaccine exemptions in the workplace. Irving qualifies for his home debut of the season in the Nets' game against the Hornets next Monday!
You read that right, Irving waited a season and will play at home next week at home to the Nets, and he wins! In an interview before the game, Nash responded: "I welcome the change in new York's vaccine policy. So far this season, Irving has played in 19 away games for the Nets, averaging 27.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 43 percent from three-point range.
Morant is out of today's focus game due to a sore right knee, and the Grizzlies are currently in second place in the West with 49-23 losses, two wins ahead of the third-place Warriors. The Nets are eighth in the East with 38 wins and 34 losses, two wins behind the seventh-place Raptors and three wins behind the Sixth Cavaliers. Although Morant doesn't play, the Overall Grizzlies are good, and it's hard for the Nets to win.
The Nets didn't feel good on the outside today, with the team 1-of-6 three-pointers in the first quarter, the Grizzlies 6-of-10 and the Grizzlies 12-1 on the bench. Fortunately, the Nets also have Irving and Durant, and Irving scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the first quarter. The Grizzlies' side of Melton had 12 points in the quarter, Brooks and Bain 10 points each, and the Grizzlies led the Nets 40-32 in a single quarter.
In the second quarter, the Nets' turnovers began to increase, with eight turnovers in the first half and 17 points scored by the Grizzlies. Durant was less aggressive in the first half, with 1-of-4 three-pointers and four turnovers for one man. Melton's fast-break dunk was 2+1, and the guy came off the bench for 14 minutes in the first half and hit the Grizzlies' team-high 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
At one point in the second quarter, the Grizzlies extended their lead to 18 points, but fortunately Irving stepped up, and Uncle Drew shot 8-of-14 in the first half, 2-of-5 from three-point range to record a game-high 22 points, plus four assists. The Nets bench scored just seven points, and the Grizzlies scored 31 points. At halftime, the Grizzlies led the Nets by 14 points, 76-62.
The Grizzlies shot 10-of-21 from three-point range in the first half, and the Nets only made 3-of-14! In the second half, the Nets must improve their outside shooting percentage while reducing turnovers. The Grizzlies didn't just have three-pointers, they grabbed 11 offensive rebounds in the first half and kept pounding the basket. Jalan Jr. Jackson + Adams, the Grizzlies two major inside lines are on the field at the same time, Chuang Shen can not resist.
Easy side fight again, Irving went crazy, hitting three consecutive three-point shots, including a 3+1! The Nets played halfway to close the gap to three points. The Grizzlies' declining outside shooting percentage, coupled with the lack of a stable scoring point like Morant, brought momentum to the Nets. Why the Nets were able to catch up with the score, they made 0 mistakes across the team this quarter!
The Nets blasted down 42 points in the third quarter, including 4-of-6 three-pointers, and the Grizzlies scored just 27 points in a single quarter. After the third quarter, the Nets officially completed the rebound 104-103. Durant scored 14 points in the quarter, scoring 33 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the first three quarters, Irving had 11 points in the single quarter, and the first three quarters also scored 33 points, plus 2 rebounds and 7 assists.
The Grizzlies can become second in the West, not by luck, the team is too tough! In the final quarter, the Grizzlies stepped up their defense under the basket, and Bain made 3-of-3 three-point shooting in the single quarter to help the Grizzlies lead to double digits again. Durant scored just two points in the fourth quarter and made five turnovers. The Nets collapsed in the final quarter, and Morant danced on the bench.
The Grizzlies scored 29 points in the fourth quarter, which didn't look like much, but the Nets only scored 16 points and Irving himself took 10 points. The Nets scored just 11 points on the bench, and the Grizzlies scored 47 points! At the end of the game, the Grizzlies won 132-120 against the Nets, another victory without Morant. The Grizzlies scored seven in double figures and three scored 20+.
Bain had 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, Melton 23 points, 4 rebounds, Dillon Brooks 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; Durant shot 12 of 28, 7 of 3 points, 10 of 10 of 10 free throws, 35 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 5 turnovers; Irving shot 15 of 27, 6 of 11 from three-point range, 7 of 7 from the free throw line for 43 points, 2 boards and 8 assists, and the brothers scored 78 points!
Seth Curry sprained his left ankle and Dragic sprained his knee, neither of whom played today. Just relying on Durant and Irving, it really can't be done!