Grizzlies
Grizzlies' 49-Point Second Quarter Buries Hawks in Preseason Opener
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Atlanta Hawks 132-123 at State Farm Arena, turning a 35-32 first-quarter deficit into a blowout with a 49-point second quarter. Both teams are 0-0, and this preseason result has no bearing on the standings, but Memphis showed it can score in bursts off the bench.
By the Hoops Nightly Desk · updated 16 d ago01The story of the nightThe second quarter decided itAtlanta led 35-32 after one quarter, but Memphis answered with 49 points in the second to take an 81-61 lead.
Atlanta led 35-32 after one quarter, but Memphis answered with 49 points in the second to take an 81-61 lead. The Hawks clawed back with a 37-29 third quarter, cutting the gap, and outscored the Grizzlies 25-22 in the fourth, but it wasn't enough. Memphis's biggest lead reached 23 points; Atlanta's largest was only 11. There were just four lead changes all night, underlining how much that one quarter shaped the final score.
02Bench scoring carried both sidesGG Jackson led Memphis off the bench with 14 points on 5/7 shooting.
GG Jackson led Memphis off the bench with 14 points on 5/7 shooting. Jaylen Wells added 12 on 4/6 shooting, including 4/6 from three. Ty Jerome had 12 points and 5 assists, and Cameron Boozer added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. For Atlanta, Corey Kispert came off the bench for a game-high 19 points on 7/11 shooting with 4/7 from deep. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 14, and Asa Newell posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double in a reserve role.
03Won on the break and the bench, not the paintAtlanta out-rebounded Memphis 57-54 and won the paint 58-48, but that wasn't where this game turned.
Atlanta out-rebounded Memphis 57-54 and won the paint 58-48, but that wasn't where this game turned. The Grizzlies shot 51.8% from the field to Atlanta's 45.7%, made 18 threes to the Hawks' 14, and ran away in transition, scoring 29 fast-break points to Atlanta's 16. Memphis also turned 13 steals into 21 points off turnovers, compared to 17 for Atlanta off 11 steals. The Grizzlies bench alone outscored Atlanta's bench 80-76, the margin that mattered most.
04What it means for each teamFor Memphis, this is an early look at scoring depth: six bench players reached at least 7 points, led by Jackson,…
For Memphis, this is an early look at scoring depth: six bench players reached at least 7 points, led by Jackson, Grant and Pippen Jr., all in under 16 minutes apiece. For Atlanta, the loss came despite winning the rebounding and paint battles, with Kingston Flemings logging a team-high 24.6 minutes but shooting just 4/11. Both clubs are 0-0 since this preseason game does not count in the standings, but Memphis's three-point volume and transition speed stood out as early markers.
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