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    Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins calls for better defense
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    Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins calls for better defense

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    2 minutes, 26 seconds Read

    Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was blunt and didn't hold back.

    Monday was the Grizzlies' fourth game of the regular season — and it was also the fourth time their defense collapsed in the second half. They still managed to win in two of those games, but that wasn't the case Monday at the FedEx Forum.

    The Grizzlies' 20-point lead was erased when their defense fell apart in a 126-123 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

    Chicago made 25 three-point shots and shot 47.2% from deep. Memphis held the Bulls to 22 points in the first quarter, but they scored as many as 32 points in each of the final three quarters.

    “Terrible defense,” Jenkins said. “Give the Bulls a lot of credit, they put us on our heels. We were terrible defensively and they took advantage of that. They had a great shooting night. They moved the ball great. We didn't worry about defense at all. That's a problem for us at the moment.

    Jenkins' disappointment with the defense began before halftime. Near the end of the first half, Jenkins and forward Santi Aldama had a long conversation in which Jenkins said he challenged Aldama to get better defensively.

    Aldama defended Bulls guard Josh Giddey, who finished the game with a team-high 13 rebounds and four offensive boards. Aldama admitted he should have done a better job blocking Giddey's drives to the basket.

    The moment between Jenkins and Aldama, as well as Jenkins' postgame press conference, illustrate the urgency. Getting stops is key to getting their offense going, and if they can't do that, they can't play as quickly and that throws the offense out of rhythm. Aldama, Desmond Bane and Ja Morant have all spoken about Jenkins challenging the older players more given her experience this season.

    “Oh yeah, I love it,” Aldama said. “I mean, I've had that my whole life. So, you know, I like this stuff.”

    Minutes restriction for Jaren Jackson Jr

    One player who could have helped the defense more is former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., but he was limited in opportunities. The Grizzlies are still cautious with his minutes after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason.

    He played his second game on Monday and he was one of the team's most influential players each time. Jackson finished Monday with 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes and was a team-best plus-15.

    “We’re trying to rebuild him with the pace we’re playing at,” Jenkins said. “Give him short sprints.”

    For Jackson, the buildup is more difficult. His minutes will gradually increase, but Memphis will operate with caution.

    “I really want to just skip it, but I can’t,” Jackson said. “You just have to keep going.”

    Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

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