Tyreke Evans scored a season-high 32 points, but the Memphis Grizzlies could not complete a late rally and fell 101-99 to the Orlando Magic in a matchup between two teams that entered with the best record in the NBA.
Evan Fournier totaled 22 points and eight rebounds, while Aaron Gordon posted 19 points and connected on a go-ahead three-pointer that gave Orlando a 100-99 lead with 51.7 seconds remaining in the game.
Marc Gasol, listed as questionable pregame with a left ankle injury, scored 22 points and lifted Memphis with two straight baskets that gave the Grizzlies a 99-97 lead with 1:04 remaining in the fourth. James Ennis III added 14 points, while Dillon Brooks chipped in with 12 off the bench. Mario Chalmers scored seven points starting in place of Mike Conley, who missed his first game of the season with a sore left Achilles.
Evans recorded his highest scoring effort since scoring 34 for the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 14, 2014 vs. Golden State. He became just the eighth Grizzlies reserve to put up 30 points in a game and the first since Troy Daniels on Dec. 3, 2016.
Trailing by six entering the fourth quarter, Memphis closed the gap as Evans made all five of his shot attempts in the period. Brooks sparked a 7-0 run with a three-pointer before a fadeaway and a floater by Gasol gave Memphis the lead. After Gordon’s go-ahead three put Orlando back in front, Chalmers and Brooks missed long jumpers, and while Memphis continued to force Orlando into turnovers, the Magic ran off enough time late for its fifth win in the last six games.
After Memphis limited opponents to 39.9 percent shooting through its first seven games, the best field goal percentage defense in the NBA, Orlando shot 50.7 percent from the field and 44.8 percent from three-point range. The Magic’s shooting helped the team overcome 24 turnovers, which the Grizzlies converted into 30 points.
Next Game
The Grizzlies will hit the road after completing their four-game home stand when they travel to Los Angeles and face the Clippers on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Tune in to FOX Sports Tennessee or listen on WMFS for all the action.
Next Home Game
Memphis will return to FedExForum on Wednesday, Nov. 15 as they take on the Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m.
Key Stats of the Night
- Orlando shot 50.7 percent from the field (38-75 FG) and 44.8 percent from three-point range (13-29 3P). Entering tonight, Memphis had held its first seven opponents to a combined 39.9 percent overall shooting, the best field goal percentage defense in the league.
- The Magic won despite 24 turnovers, which the Grizzlies turned into 30 points. The last team to commit that many turnovers against the Grizzlies and still win in Memphis was the Denver Nuggets, who gave the ball away 27 times on January 27, 2009 but still came away with a 100-85 victory at FedExForum.
Key Runs of the Night
- Orlando opened up a 20-9 lead to start the game before Memphis closed the first quarter on a 17-3 run to take a 26-23 lead entering the second period. The Grizzlies started the second frame with seven straight points to complete a 24-3 run and build a double-digit advantage (33-23).
- Both teams held an 11-point lead in the first half before ending up tied at 54 at halftime.
- Marc Gasol sank two straight baskets to give Memphis a 99-97 lead with 1:04 remaining, but Aaron Gordon reclaimed the lead for the Magic with a step-back three-pointer with 51.7 seconds on the clock. Memphis would miss two long-range jumpers in the closing seconds to seal the win for Orlando.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Tyreke Evans scored a season-high 32 points (13-20 FG, 4-6 3P, 2-3 FT) one game after recording 19 points and 10 rebounds on Oct. 30 vs. Charlotte. Evans, who made seven of his first eight shots and had 18 before halftime, posted his highest single-game scoring total since totaling 34 points on Dec. 14, 2014 vs. Golden State as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Tyreke Evans is just the eighth Grizzlies reserve to score 30 points in a game and the first since Troy Daniels on December 3, 2016.
- Evan Fournier led the Magic with 22 points (9-16 FG, 4-7 3P) and eight rebounds. Fournier has scored 20-or-more points in seven of his eight games this season.
- Marc Gasol scored 22 points (10-14 FG, 2-4 3P, 0-1 FT), his fifth 20-point game of the season.