Grizzlies drop heart-breaker to Bulls for 19th loss in row

[March 16, 2018]  JaMychal Green had a game-winning dunk disallowed after the buzzer as the Memphis Grizzlies saw their losing streak reach 19 games with a 111-110 defeat against the visiting Chicago Bulls on Thursday night.

Memphis remains winless since Jan. 29 as the NBA's longest skid of the season continues.

With 1.8 seconds left, Jarrell Martin inbounded to Marc Gasol. The center missed a 12-foot shot, and Green grabbed the rebound and went up for the dunk, but when he released the ball, the red light was flashing, indicating the game was over.

After a brief review by officials, the call was upheld.

Chicago took the final lead of the game when Antonio Blakeney hit two of three foul shots with 1.8 seconds remaining after being fouled by Tyreke Evans as the shot clock was winding down. Blakeney made the first and third free throws, and Memphis called its final timeout before the ill-fated final possession.

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 20 points while reserve Bobby Portis added 17 as the Bulls played without rookie Lauri Markkanen (back) for a second straight game. Denzel Valentine contributed 15 as Chicago's reserves set a season high with 63 points in a game that featured 19 lead changes and 15 ties.

All five starters reached doubles for Memphis, which fouled Chicago four times on 3-point attempts.

Evans returned from missing 10 games with a rib injury and led the Grizzlies with 25 points. Gasol added 21 points and 10 rebounds for his 24th double-double. Martin contributed 16 points while Green and rookie Dillon Brooks chipped in 15 apiece. Martin also grabbed 10 boards.

 

 Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney (9) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Wayne Selden Jr. (7) scramble for a loose ball in the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Chicago won 111-110. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulls took a 78-75 lead into the fourth and held a seven-point lead after a 3-pointer by Portis about a minute into the fourth. Consecutive 3-pointers by Evans helped Memphis get within 98-93 with 6:45 left, and a three-point play by Gasol cut it to 100-98 about two minutes later.

Memphis tied the game at 101 on a free throw by Martin with 2:46 left, but Cristiano Felicio hit a layup on the next possession to give Chicago a two-point lead.

The Grizzlies took a 108-107 lead with 46.9 seconds left when Gasol rebounded a missed 3-pointer by Evans and found Green for a cutting dunk. Felicio hit two free throws with 40.5 seconds left for a 109-108 Chicago lead, but Martin made a layup off a bounce pass from Gasol for a one-point edge.

--Field Level Media

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