The crowd got back into the game after long lulls of quiet at FedExForum Arena.

Suddenly, what looked headed for a blowout Memphis Grizzlies loss against the rival New Orleans Pelicans had shifted into a possible improbable comeback.

The Grizzlies, who at one point trailed by 25 points, were able to get within five late in the fourth quarter, but that was as close as they got in what ultimately was a 96-87 loss, their ninth straight.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies (18-36) with 22 points. He has recorded 20 or more points in seven straight games.

New Orleans (32-22) got 17 points, nine rebounds and five steals from Herb Jones and stellar defense.

Here are some takeaways from Monday's game.

Yuta Watanabe, Lamar Stevens make debuts

Jacob Gilyard was in street clothes. GG Jackson went through his normal pregame routine, but he was suspended for the game for a violation of a team rule. Their absences led to Scotty Pippen Jr. rejoining the starting lineup and the debuts of trade acquisitions Yuta Watanabe and Lamar Stevens.

Watanabe struggled to find his shot and made his first basket near the end of the third quarter on his fifth shot attempt. He followed the slow start with three consecutive made baskets. Stevens quickly showed his offensive versatility. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound wing used his size to finish around the rim, and he also showed some patience and touch on midrange jumpers.

Watanabe and Stevens looked like players who can help Memphis moving forward.

So many 3-pointers

The Grizzlies continue to go wherever their 3-point shooting takes them. They attempted 30 3-pointers out of 44 total shots in the first half. Some of the shots were good looks, but many were a result of the Grizzlies' inability to beat players off the dribble and get into the paint. This will continue to be a struggle for them without their best playmakers and shot creators available.

Not without effort

The Grizzlies were clearly at a talent disadvantage Monday night. It didn't help their case when Zion Williamson was cleared to play shortly before the game. Memphis was down by 25 points but kept battling, going on a 19-5 run to cut the deficit to 13 at the end of the third quarter. That was just enough to get the Pelicans starters back in the game for the fourth.

Memphis is still playing with a lot of energy and effort despite not winning games.

What's next

The Grizzlies are back at home 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Houston Rockets. This will be the fourth and final meeting this season between the division foes (and Dillon Brooks). Memphis lost each of the previous three games.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies drop ninth straight game with loss to Pelicans