The Memphis Grizzlies trailed by as many as 21 points on Saturday night against the Chicago Bulls before taking an early fourth-quarter lead. From that moment on, the teams went back and forth until the final moments at United Center.
A Talen Horton-Tucker 3-pointer in the last minute gave the Bulls a one-point lead. That shot was immediately followed by a clutch corner 3-pointer from Grizzlies forward Maozinha Pereira that gave Memphis a two-point lead with 35.3 seconds remaining.
With the game tied, Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells launched a contested 3-pointer from the right wing with 9.5 seconds left and held his pose as he gave Memphis a 3-point lead. That proved to be the difference in the Grizzlies' 124-121 win.
Wells led the Grizzlies with 24 points while playing a team-high 32 minutes. Fellow rookie Zach Edey finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in 22 minutes.
Memphis played Saturday’s matchup without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Key role players Luke Kennard and Santi Aldama were also among the Grizzlies players who rested,
The Grizzlies will be back in action on Monday night in a road matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
Fourth quarter
Close game in Chicago
Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey appears to be done tonight, but backup center Jay Huff is having a big game. He's up to 18 points to go with four made 3-pointers. Chicago leads 108-106 with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter.
End of third: Bulls 93 Grizzlies 91
Zach Edey gets it going
Grizzlies center Zach Edey is off to a good start in the third quarter after finishing a hook shot over Bulls center Nikola Vucevic. Edey is up to 13 points to go with four rebounds and three assists. Memphis trails 77-58 with 8:46 left in the third quarter.
Halftime: Bulls 65 Grizzlies 51
No answer for Zach LaVine
Memphis has no Marcus Smart or Vince Williams Jr. to guard Bulls guard Zach LaVine, and it's showing. LaVine has 24 points and has made all five of his 3-pointers. Chicago leads 63-49 with 1:07 left in the second quarter.
Fastbreak struggles
The Grizzlies have not scored a transition basket. That is surprising, considering the team's emphasis on pace. The Grizzlies are without their top guards, but Chicago has been the team dominating in transition. The Bulls have a 12-0 advantage in transition scoring with 4:21 left in the second quarter. Memphis trails 54-40.
End of first: Grizzlies 28 Bulls 28
New starting lineup
Zach Edey is the lone starter from the first two preseason games who is active on Saturday. Desmond Bane is joining projected starters Ja Morant, Marcus Smart and Jaren Jackson Jr. as out against Chicago. Along with Edey, point guard Scotty Pippen Jr., Jaylen Wells, John Konchar and Jake LaRavia will be starting.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Chicago Bulls
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 12
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: United Center
What channel is Grizzlies vs Bulls game on today?
- TV channel: CHSN
- Streaming: Fubo.tv , NBA League Pass
- Radio: 92.9 FM
Grizzlies vs Bulls betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Thursday:
- Spread: Bulls -2.5
- Over/under : 224.5
- Moneyline: Bulls -140
MAKING AN IMPACT: What Japanese point guard Yuki Kawamura has done to impress Memphis Grizzlies teammates
Grizzlies vs Bulls injury updates
Grizzlies: Ja Morant (ankle), Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring), Cam Spencer (ankle), GG Jackson (foot surgery), Vince Williams Jr. (left shin)
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com . Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Rookie Jaylen Wells caps Memphis Grizzlies' comeback preseason win vs Bulls
Local News
Comments / 0