Grizzlies (14-8), Pelicans (7-15)
New Orleans has dropped several nail-biters in bitter fashion over the initial month-plus of the season, but Monday’s defeat may qualify as the most difficult to accept. The Pelicans led by three points at both the end of regulation and the first overtime period, but Grizzles three-pointers by Marc Gasol and Troy Daniels, respectively, forced extra basketball.
A long night of Southwest Division basketball finally concluded in the second overtime, when New Orleans had a chance to answer those earlier trifectas, but Pelicans guard Langston Galloway’s right-corner three-pointer was a bit long. Gasol gave Memphis its final 110-108 edge with a high-degree-of-difficulty fadeaway jumper in the last minute of double OT.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Anthony Davis drove into the lane and was forced to fire up a tough layup that missed. After a scramble for the ball, Gasol came up with the rebound, but New Orleans forced a jump ball with 3 seconds to go.
The Pelicans managed to control the ball and pass to Galloway, who was guarded by two Grizzlies defenders but got off a tough shot. The potential game-winner bounded off the rim to seal Memphis’ dramatic victory.
