Why Grizzlies didn't call timeout on final possession in loss vs Nuggets

Cam Boozer grabbed the rebound off a missed Denver Nuggets free throw with 13.9 seconds remaining.

The Memphis Grizzlies trailed by three, and Boozer glanced toward coach Tuomas Iisalo to see if a timeout was going to be called. No timeout came, so Boozer pushed the ball up the floor.

He raced toward the left side and used a screen from forward Cedric Coward before launching a 3-pointer that hit the side of the backboard and fell into the hands of Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon.

Gordon made two free throws, and the Grizzlies fell 123-118 to the Nuggets at FedExForum on Nov. 11.

There were plenty of moments that led to that final possession, but it drew most of the attention after a close game in which Memphis never held a lead.

The Grizzlies (7-5) had two timeouts remaining. They also had a lineup on the floor geared more toward rebounding: Boozer, Coward, Zach Edey, Isaiah Stewart and Ty Jerome.

Tuomas Iisalo explains decision

Jaylen Wells, one of the longest-tenured Grizzlies, is familiar with Iisalo’s thinking in similar late-game situations. Wells said Iisalo prefers to push the ball against a defense that isn’t set rather than allow the opponent to get organized.

The idea is to create an advantage before the defense has a chance to substitute its best defensive players.

“I respect his decision,” Wells said.

Iisalo confirmed that thinking after the game and offered further explanation of the final sequence.

Boozer attempted his 3-pointer with 6.9 seconds remaining, despite the shot clock being off. Iisalo said Boozer took the shot after believing the defender had reached “inside the cookie jar” and that a foul could be called.

The hope was to get three free throws.

“I love the fact that Boozer in that situation looked to push and tried to create that open shot right there,” Iisalo said.

As for the lineup that did not include 3-point shooters such as Wells, Cam Spencer and Jerami Grant, getting those players onto the floor was not considered more valuable than keeping rebounders in the game.

“We had our two best ball handlers up top, and that was (Jerome) and Boozer in that situation,” Iisalo said. “When you’re down, I would say the better option is to take the shot earlier, so you have a chance to rebound.”

What Cam Boozer, Ty Jerome said

Boozer has been touted for his ability to process the game quickly and his strong basketball IQ. In this instance, the rookie forward believed he had made a heads-up decision to take the shot if he was fouled.

Boozer confirmed that his goal was to draw three free throws. He watched the replay after the game and recognized there was a different way he could have handled the moment.

“I either had to go up right when he touched me, or waited a second later to get a better shot,” Boozer said. “It’s a learning experience.”

Jerome admitted he spent about 30 minutes in the locker room thinking about alternative possibilities. One option was to rush up the floor, get a quick two-point basket and foul Denver, especially with Memphis having two timeouts remaining.

But as Jerome said, “Hindsight is 20-20.”

Memphis put itself in position to need a stop after getting off to a slow start and trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half.

The Grizzlies battled back and got within a single possession multiple times in the third and fourth quarters. Their final opportunity came after Boozer grabbed the rebound.

“It’s easy to say, 'Oh, we could’ve done this, we could’ve done that,' ” Jerome said. “The real issue was how we played in the first half.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Grizzlies didn't call timeout on final possession in loss vs Nuggets