The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to make the puzzle pieces fit together properly and will continue the process when they hit the road to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
Ja Morant returned Friday after missing the previous 10 games because of a right calf injury, but big man Zach Edey was out with a left ankle injury as the Grizzlies fell 130-126 at home to the Utah Jazz.
Morant scored 21 points with 10 assists over 25 minutes in his first game since Nov. 15, while making seven of 20 shots from the floor.
“(Morant) played really well, offensively especially,” Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “We have to make sure we ramp him up right now. We would love to have him on the court more than he was (Friday), but we have a plan in place and we’re going to stick to that.”
Edey is expected to be out for a month, requiring the Grizzlies to come up with an alternate plan, just as they did when they won seven of the last nine games when Morant was out of action.
Making up for Edey’s 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, not to mention the 7-footer’s defensive presence with 1.9 blocked shots, will be the Grizzlies’ next order of business. Santi Aldama started at center Friday, his third start this season, and had a team-high 22 points with seven rebounds.
Rookie guard Cedric Coward helped inside with 12 rebounds and 17 points, with Morant also intending to contribute at the basket after grabbing four rebounds. Morant even blocked a shot.
“I’ve got to be able to go up and help my bigs rebound,” Morant said. “I’ve got to take care of the ball. Better decisions. Make shots. I’ll correct mine, and we’ll correct ours together.”
The Clippers have their own corrections to make while on a three-game losing streak. They have also lost eight of their past nine since Nov. 23.
Los Angeles just completed a brutal stretch with 12 of its last 14 games on the road, going 3-11 while living mostly out of a suitcase. Monday’s game is the start of a stretch where the Clippers play eight of their next 10 at home.
They completed a run of five consecutive road games with a 115-113 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday that was marked by missed opportunities down the stretch. Los Angeles dropped a close one 109-106 at Minnesota in its previous game on Dec. 6.
Ivica Zubac matched a season high with 33 points against the Rockets on 13-of-14 shooting. Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points, while James Harden added 22. But Los Angeles was outrebounded 51-28 as Houston secured 22 offensive boards and 23 second-chance points.
Clippers guard Kris Dunn was asked how the team can shore up its late-game issues.
“Trust God,” Dunn said with a smile. “Always.”
Except the Clippers, with just six wins on the season, know that divine intervention is not coming.
“Honestly, everybody has to make one more play,” Dunn said. “I think if everybody made one more play late in the stretch of the game, we’ll come out with more wins than losses.”
