Memphis Grizzlies (25-49) beat Chicago Bulls (29-45) 125-124 at home on Saturday, March 28 in a game that stayed within 10 points at every quarter break.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Bulls had the better start, winning the first 30-28 to lead by 2 after one. The teams matched each other with 28 points apiece in the second quarter; the Bulls still led by 2 at halftime.
The Grizzlies won the third 42-30 to turn the game around, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth. The Bulls took the fourth 36-27; the Grizzlies held on for a 125-124 regulation win.
The edge that mattered
The Grizzlies took better care of the ball, turning it over on 11.8% of possessions compared with 20.2% for the Bulls. In a 1-point game, those extra possessions were crucial.
The Bulls did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 39 against 12.1. The Grizzlies made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 116 possessions per team, the Grizzlies produced 107.6 points per 100 possessions to 106.7 for the Bulls.
The Grizzlies' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 66-25.
Who made the difference
Josh Giddey was the game's biggest individual force for CHI: 18 pts, 13 reb, 10 ast, 3 blk on 6-11 shooting. His Game Score of 22.3 led everyone. His team was -15 with him on the floor.
Cedric Coward led the Grizzlies with 24 pts, 9 reb, 4 ast, 4 stl on 10-19 shooting, good for a 21.2 Game Score.
Matas Buzelis (29 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast) and Josh Giddey (18 pts, 13 reb, 10 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 61% for the Grizzlies.
Across the last 3 meetings in our records, Chicago Bulls lead 2-1.
The Grizzlies are now 25-49, and the Bulls are 29-45. The Grizzlies last five before this game: L-L-L-L-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.