The Memphis Grizzlies’ downward spiral continued Sunday, when they were dealt with a disappointing 99-88 loss at home opposite the visiting Brooklyn Nets. The setback was the Grizzlies’ eighth straight and tarnished further the team’s record which now stands at 7-12.
On its own, the loss was gut-wrenching for everyone involved for the Grizzlies, but perhaps it tasted worse for Memphis center Marc Gasol, who was kept in the doghouse by head coach David Fizdale for the entirety of the fourth quarter. Gasol made it clear that he wasn’t happy about his apparent benching, but kept his body language in check when speaking to reporters following the game, per Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.
“I don’t like it one bit,” Gasol said. “I’m more (angry) than I can show, and frustrated. But for the benefit of the team, I’ve got to show good leadership and continue to do my job.”
The game was tied at the half, 47-47, but the Grizzlies let Brooklyn outscore them in the third quarter, 32-18. That lead ballooned to 19 but the Grizzlies was able to cut it down to five sans Gasol on the floor. According to Tillery’s report, Fizdale merely made a purely-basketball decision to sit Gasol and let the lineup that shrunk the lead play extended minutes. Still, it’s hard to imagine Gasol not making a difference in the fourth, considering that he led the team with 18 points despite playing in just 28 minutes.
With Mike Conley out indefinitely with an Achilles injury, Marc Gasol is left as the unquestioned best player on the team. The Spaniard is pacing the Grizzlies with 19.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, while also sharing the team lead in assists (4.1) with Conley.
The Grizzlies will try to arrest their skid once again this Wednesday when they travel to Texas to face the San Antonio Spurs.
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