This story was changed to accurately reflect the number of games the Orlando Magic has played in Europe.
The NBA traveled across the Atlantic this weekend as the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic prepared to do battle across the pond in a pair of contests this Thursday and Sunday. The first of which is now behind us. The Orlando Magic emerge victorious, 118-111. The game itself was a tremendous display of NBA talent. Both teams were sinking shots from deep and the crowd was loving it.
The NBA will be investing a lot of money into the European market in the future, even going as far as creating a new league. With the amount of talent coming out of Europe nowadays, it makes sense. Players like Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo remain some of the biggest stars in the sport, so tapping into that European market may be easier than ever.
Both Memphis and Orlando had experience playing in Europe as well prior to today’s game. This was the Magic’s fourth game all-time in Europe, while the Grizzlies participated in their fifth such game. On to London now as these teams will go for the second of their European road trip. Will Orlando secure the sweep or will Memphis earn a split?
Here are the results and score from Thursday, and how to watch the final landmark contests this weekend.
FINAL: Orlando 118, Memphis 111
Despite the moderate score for both teams, this game was a shootout all the way through. Whichever team was hot from beyond the arc carried all the momentum. At first, it was Memphis, but it quickly shifted to Orlando who took the lead in the third quarter and only gave it back once. Memphis kept this game close thanks to a Herculean 30-point effort from Jaren Jackson Jr., but the heroics of Paolo Banchero and the German crowd backing Moritz Wagner every time he touched the ball were too much for Memphis to overcome.
Anthony Black with the dunk of the year?
Through the middle of four Grizzlies, Anthony Black did not care who he was surrounded by. In an effort to give Orlando the lead once again, Black went through the teeth of the Memphis defense, straight to the rim and even with strong defenders like Jaren Jackson Jr. running him down, Black was able to finish with a dunk that got everyone out of their seats. That dunk was part of a 6-0 run for Orlando that gave the the lead with less than two minutes to play.
Memphis retakes the lead
This game is going back and forth. Orlando looked locked in for the win after overcoming that massive early-game deficit. The last time Memphis had the lead was when the game was just 73-71. Now, both teams are over 100 and Memphis has the lead once again thanks to a triple from Vince Williams Jr.
Grizzlies three-point drought ends
Less than a minute into the fourth, Jaren Jackson Jr. hit Memphis’ first three-pointer in more than 13 minutes of game time. Not only did he hit that pivotal three, but he hit a follow-up on Memphis’ very next possession to keep the Grizzlies close. This game has turned into a shootout.
END Q3: Magic 84, Grizzlies 79
Memphis’ hot shooting has disappeared entirely. The Grizzlies went 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the third.
Despite 25 points from Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies have struggled when they’ve had their stars on the floor. Jackson himself holds a -12 point differential on the floor. Compare that to Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, who sits at +13 entering the fourth, and it will be very difficult for Memphis to climb back now that they’ve surrendered the lead they built early on.
Magic suddenly have as many three-pointers as Grizzlies
With how hot the Grizzlies started this game, it’s a shock that with a quarter to go, Orlando has already matched their triples and taken the lead. Eight of their 12 three-pointers have come from either Paolo Banchero or Anthony Black. While Memphis’ three-point barrage has been more spread out, Orlando has been able to lean on their stars to take a seven-point lead in the third. They lead 80-73.
End Q2: Grizzlies 67, Magic 58
Well it seems Memphis’ hot shooting had a shorter lifespan than they’d hoped. The Magic took advantage of it, going on an 18-3 run to draw closer, with Banchero hitting a massive three at the end of the quarter to bring this game within single digits.
Memphis is not shooting poorly, still 12-of-20 from beyond the three-point line, but Orlando is showing that Memphis will have to be at the absolute top of their game in order to maintain this lead. Memphis led by as many as 20 in that quarter. Orlando is resilient though, clawing back to keep this one tight.
End Q1: Grizzlies 39, Magic 23
The Grizzlies hot shooting carried them through the first quarter, but it’s hard to imagine it’ll sustain for the entire game. Can Orlando take advantage of when the hot hands fall back to Earth?
The Grizzlies can’t miss from three
The Grizzlies have gotten out to a massive 30-14 lead with about four minutes left in the first quarter. This scoring output has come almost entirely from their incredible three-point shooting. The Grizzlies are 8-of-12 from long range to start this game. All but two Grizzlies — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Vince Williams Jr. — have attempted at least one three.
Memphis goes on 10-0 run early
The Orlando Magic got out to a hot start getting out to a quick 7-2 lead. However, the Grizzlies stormed back hitting shot after shot and forcing bad looks from Orlando immediately after. The Grizzlies went on a 10-0 run to take a 12-7 lead.
The run finally came to an end when Paolo Banchero was gifted a wide open three-pointer.
How to watch Grizzlies vs. Magic from Berlin
Date: Thursday, Jan. 15
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Where: Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany
TV: N/A
Stream: Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Stream Grizzlies vs. Magic in Europe with Prime Video
How to watch Magic vs. Grizzlies from London
Date: Sunday, Jan. 18
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Where: The O2 in London
TV: N/A
Stream: Prime Video, NBA League Pass
Memphis Grizzlies starting lineup for Jan. 15
The Memphis Grizzlies will start today’s game with Cam Spencer at point guard and Cedric Coward to round out the backcourt.
Jaylen Wells will start at small forward with Jaren Jackson Jr. at power forward and Jock Landale at the five.
Orlando Magic starting lineup for Jan. 15
The Orlando Magic will roll out Anthony Black, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr. to begin Thursday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin.