Memphis Grizzlies Team Report - November 4

(Basketball News) - The Grizzlies had a disappointing debut in their new building on Wednesday night, falling 103-91 to the Washington Wizards at FedExForum.

Bonzi Wells netted a team-high 19 points for the Grizzlies, who are coming off last season’s franchise-record 50 wins and first-ever postseason appearance. Memphis, which also received 17 points and nine boards from Pau Gasol, has dropped four straight season-openers.

Memphis owned a 52-44 lead at the half, but fell apart in the second half. In the third quarter, the Grizzlies were outscored, 32-11. In the fourth, Memphis got as close as eight, but never seriously threatened. Gasol scored in the paint to complete a string of eight unanswered points to trim the lead to 85-77 with 5:29 to play.

Memphis lost an 18-point first-half lead in large part to 18 turnovers.

Memphis was without center Lorenzen Wright, who was handed a one-game suspension by the NBA after he was ejected in a preseason victory over Milwaukee for shoving his hand in the face of Bucks’ center Zaza Pachulia.

Memphis outscored Washington, 52-34, in the paint.

The Grizzlies have a day off before hosting Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets on Friday evening.