The Memphis Grizzlies are undefeated in the 2021-2022 season. Granted the season is only two games old, but it’s still true, and still fun.
Let’s get into it.
Game two got off to a slow start for the Grizzlies, who were soundly outplayed in the first quarter. In that first quarter, Desmond Bane led the squad with 8 points, while the bench unit failed to score a single point.
The Clippers out-rebounded the Grizzlies 17-8 in the first 12 minutes, during which Memphis also managed to not grab a single offensive board.
The Grizzlies played with a lot more urgency in the second quarter and managed to cut the Clippers lead to three at the half.
Whatever was said in the locker room during halftime must have been very inspirational, because the Grizzlies team that took the court in the second half played with all the dominance that was missing to start the game. They methodically built a lead and made every effort to sustain it, even when the Clippers would go on a brief offensive run and cut into the Grizzlies’ lead.
The third quarter was inarguably the Ja Morant and Steven Adams show, with each player scoring 11 points and putting on a clinic on both ends of the floor.
Unfortunately, the bench struggles that were apparent early also continued throughout the third quarter. Kyle Anderson contributed the lone made bucket and all the field goal attempts from the second unit.
The lack of efficiency from the bench will need to be addressed going forward, but in this game, the starters were able to compensate for it and then some.
Small sample size theater, but last year this team would have folded under pressure in a late-game situation. There’s an air of maturity here in these first two games that feels new, like growth. Being able to close out a quarter and close out a game was a much-needed but missing skill set that haunted the young Grizzlies last year. Our baby bears are growing up.
By the Numbers:
The starting five scored 107 of the 120 total points, with each of them finishing the night with double digits.
Ja Morant led the team with 28 points and a game-high 8 assists.
Mr. Do Something did a bit of everything — De’Anthony Melton finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds, including 4 of 8 from beyond the three-point line.
Jaren Jackson Jr. closed out with 21 points and 7 rebounds and shot 3 of 5 from distance.
Desmond Bane had 19 points and 6 rebounds, with 12 of those points coming from beyond the arc.
Steven Adams made his presence felt on both ends of the floor, finishing with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and two steals. And he was 5 for 5 from the free throw line.
As a team, the Grizzlies won the rebound game and beat the Clippers 28-18 on the boards in the second half.
If Adams keeps making his free throws, he is going to win me over. Maybe not at J.V. levels of winning me over, but it certainly helps take the sting out of it, as does Jaren Jackson Jr. having more room and minutes to continue his growth as a player.
Who Got Next?
There is no rest for the good guys. The Grizzlies will take the court at Staples Center for a second night in a row as they face off against the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. CDT.
