Chapter 143: Error 143
The Memphis Grizzlies are installed as a good team in the Western Conference but have never passed the contender level for the title—Ja Morant to finally win back the public's hearts after his suspension.
Some people supported him, and Hector was one of them. He, Ja, Zion, and R.J. Barrett have a strong sense of friendship and often talk to each other off the field. Being a drafter at the same time and all All-NBA, the comparisons brought them all together.
When Ja was in Zion's shadow during his rookie season, R.J. and Hector had to settle for the crumbs. When Hector began to make himself known, Ja's shadow was on the MIP. When Hector settled among the best, Zion and Ja were in turmoil. When R.J. displayed his talent, Ja and Zion had things to forgive.
Now they'll all be All-Star this season. It's ironic.
Jaren Jackson Jr is the last DPOY before Hector, who has monopolized the trophy for two years now, and given his momentum, it is difficult to prevent him from making the treble.
Grizzlies: Morant, Bane, Ziaire Williams, Jackson, Aldama.
Kings: Fox, Duarte, Barnes, Edwards, Herrera.
Hector opens the ball, starting with a small hook shot. Both teams will miss their 3-pointers, and Hector will grab a defensive rebound, but this fact steals the ball in his hands Williams and assist Bane for a 3-pointer.
De'Aaron Fox is blocked by Jackson afterward, and Ja allows herself to post Hector with all the trash-talking that goes with it. It is too strong for Hector, who will receive the ball at the post, and Bully Jackson to perform a drop step. And he's going to force a bad pass from Morant.
The pass is deflected, and Duarte recovers it without waiting to find Edwards, who concludes the layup. But there is no respite when the clock is ticking. Ja Morant will take advantage of a pick and roll and his threat in a drive to assist Williams.
The pace is neither slow nor fast. Fox is also a driving threat and will assist Keegan Murray. The shots were followed by a 3-pointer from Aldama and a dunk from Edwards, assisted by Hector. Jackson fights and draws a foul, makes the shot, and then makes the free throw.
Meanwhile, Hector missed a free throw and made the second. He stands out by taking advantage of the movement of the other players and receives the ball at 45 °, then performs a feint of a 3-point shot and pulls up for a long 2s.
Morant scored five straight points with a 3-pointer in catch and shoot and then a driving layup, of which he has the secret.
The Fox-Murray association is less destructive than Fox-Hector in handoff dribbling, but they must be addressed. The Grizzlies did it, and Murray could gently dunk and get two free throws soon after.
Morant continues to drive successfully. It's not that the Kings can't do anything, but that Ja pulls off acrobatics. Hector is discreet for the moment but makes an assist for Vezenkov and then steals a layup from Morant. But now, after missed shots, Ja tries a 3-pointer at the end of possession and succeeds.
Monk is on the field and makes his driving layup in the most remarkable calm. Then a catch and shoot on a pass from Hector. We don't know what's happening, but Hector missed another free throw. But he succeeded in the next two, then went to rest and gave way to Moses Brown.
A few seconds later sounded, the buzzer at the end of the quarter. The Kings are ahead, but the lead is negligible.
Especially since Memphis started the second quarter strong, Bane first draws a crowd and gets two free throws. Then the Grizzlies forced a turnover, and Jackson made a driving layup. Aldama blocks Monk, then assists rookie Jimkovic who causes the and 1.
And Bane gets two more free throws. In addition to missing shots, Sacramento allows itself to miss free throws. This was too much for Ewing, who decided to bring Hector back. Memphis leads 36-29.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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