Sometimes, it’s just how the ball bounces.
The Grizzlies were up 112-110, with just seconds to play in regulation. And yet Dallas was able to secure one offensive rebound after another, until a final putback by Salah Mejri tied the game up and sent it into overtime. And while the Grizzlies would threaten in OT, they wouldn’t win it, splitting the home-and-home series in their penultimate home game.
Final score: Grizzlies 127, Mavs 129.
“If I had made the three before that point, it wouldn’t have mattered,” said Justin Holiday, who led the Grizzlies with 30 points and five boards. “It’s the way this game is. We still had a chance after regulation. We wanted to win this game. It’s tough we didn’t.”
They had their chances. After leading by as much as 15 in the first half, the Mavs surged in the second half, building as much as an eight-point lead. But the Grizzlies battled back again in the fourth taking a four-point lead into the final 90 seconds of the game.
Otherwise, it was the usual spirited occasion by these ragtag Grizzlies. No Mike Conley, Joakim Noah, or Jonas Valanciunas. No matter. Other than Julian Washburn, every Grizz who played scored double digits. Delon Wright got the start at the point guard slot, notching his second triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Grizzlies play one more road game against the Detroit Pistons before their season finale on Wednesday against the Golden State Warriors here at FedExForum.
