Boston Celtics

Memphis Grizzlies fall in Orlando, drop to sixth in the West Conference

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:37 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jakob Eliason/FanSided via Beale Street Bears

The Memphis Grizzlies received their 13th loss last night, falling 112-101 to the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. The Grizzlies (20-13) drop to 6th in the Western Conference.

This game was over from the very beginning.

The Magic jumped out to an 11-2 lead VERY early in the first quarter. The Grizzlies never recovered. Outperformed in rebounds (43-34 ), assists (23-27), and turnovers (9-6), their evening was disastrous from the get-go.

Orlando, the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference, dominated the best defense in the NBA – without the help of their leading scorer. Evan Fournier was ruled out hours before the game with a heel contusion. Still yet, the Magic recorded a season-high point total at the end of the first half (64).

Memphis played well in the second half – the Magic just played better. Aaron Gordon’s 30 points (15 in the third quarter) gave the 28th offense in the league a much needed boost.

The Orlando front-court won the big-man battle, fueled by Serge Ibaka’s 16 points and a Bismack Biyombo double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds).

A late fourth-quarter push by the Grizzlies (and by “the Grizzlies”, I mean Troy Daniels) brought the lead within 11, but casual Aaron Gordon 26-footers had other thoughts. Mike Conley led the way for Memphis, scoring 17 points and dishing four assists. Troy Daniels and Zach Randolph trailed closely, adding 15 and 13, respectively.

With this loss, the Grizzlies move to 20-13 on the season.

What’s Next?

Memphis will play the second leg of their road back-to-back tomorrow night in Boston against the Celtics. These two teams met last week, ending with a Celtic road win, 112-109.

Two All-Star point guard candidates, Isaiah Thomas and Mike Conley, will meet for a second time. Last week, Isaiah scored a career-high 44 points. Conley on the other hand, finished with 19.

Brad Stevens and his Celtics are currently 18-13, good for the three-spot in the Eastern Conference. After tonight, the Grizzlies record while on the road is now 8-6.

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