The Mavs fell apart in a last quarter in which the Grizzlies were resurrected
Neither Luka Doncic nor Ja Morant took the field
With 22 points and 14 rebounds (five of them offensive), the Spanish Santi Aldama signed his best game in the NBA on Monday and He was essential in the great comeback of the Memphis Grizzlies against the Dallas Mavericks (112-108).
The Spanish surpassed with this brilliant performance his scoring and rebounding records in an NBA game (before, his best records were 21 points and 11 rebounds).
Aldama, who stepped up in the face of Jaren Jackson Jr.’s foul trouble, finished with a 6 of 12 shooting from the field (2 of 6 in triples), 8 of 9 from the personnel line and also contributed 2 assists.
“We just trust each other to get it done”said Aldama, interviewed on the American broadcast just after the game while being effusively congratulated by his teammates.
The power forward stood out the “resilience” of his team, the movement of the ball and the “rhythm” of Memphis in the outcome and the collective effort to win “a very physical game”.
The Mavericks were leading by 16 points in the third period but they fell apart in a last quarter in which some Grizzlies resurrected that shortly before seemed dying (shocking 29-12 in the last twelve minutes)
Jackson Jr. (28 points) was the top scorer for some Grizzlies with six wins in seven games and who have also beaten the Mavericks three times in less than ten days.
Dallas came to Memphis with two straight road winsincluding that stab to the heart on Maxi Kleber’s horn to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they could not close their three-game tour with another victory.
Kyrie Irving got 28 points in the first three quarters but went empty in the last period with a dismal 0 of 8 shooting.
Neither luka doncic (taking the last steps to recover from his injury) neither Ja Morant (already with his sanction fulfilled) they jumped onto the field although his returns in Mavericks and Grizzlies seem imminent.
The two point guards were on their respective benches supporting their teammates.
Grizzlies wake up on time
After three straight games with more than 25 points, Jackson Jr. started with enthusiasm against Dallas and added 11 points in the first quarter alone.
Irving responded on the visitors also with 11 points in the first episode and the Mavericks, a team usually focused on the outside game, got 14 of their 28 points in the paint (30-28 after the first twelve minutes).
Christian Wood and Frank Ntilikina led a Dallas second unit that set its pace in the second quarter against some gray Grizzlies, especially on defense.
Besides, Irving continued to find the hoop with great ease, until reaching 20 points at halftime with a stupendous 8 of 13 shooting, and the Mavericks left at halftime with a slight advantage but with good feelings (57-60).
The situation did not change at the restart with a more focused Mavericks and more convinced of what their plan was for tonight.
Instead, the Grizzlies were beginning to show signs of frustration and the best example of this was Jackson Jr., who in five seconds added his fourth and fifth fouls to leave the local rotation very touched (67-76 with 7.01 to play).
Faced with the rusty Memphis attack, with few exceptions such as a tireless and very willful Aldama, Dallas surpassed double digits for the first time thanks to a very fine Woods and a commendable defensive attitude.
Jason Kidd’s men reached a +16 in the third period but they did not completely break the game (83-96 before the last quarter).
As if they had suddenly found their lost energy, the Grizzlies entered the opening quarter with a renewed attitude and a lot of activity in the two baskets, so much so that a three-pointer from Aldama left the margin at just 5 points after an 8-0 run in two minutes (91-96 with 10:13 on the clock).
The Spaniard, both with his points and with his fight for the rebound, was key in the volcanic reaction of some Grizzlies that changed radically the speed of the match against some bewildered Mavericks and with Irving missing.
Thus, Jackson Jr., as soon as he replaced Aldama, put the locals ahead with only 4.49 to go (104-103).
With +3 for Memphis in the final minute, Reggie Bullock missed a 3-pointer from the corner to tie the game and Jackson Jr. capped the game with some gutsy action in the paint.