Grizzlies go cold in season opener, lose to Pelicans
The Memphis Grizzlies couldn't survive cold shooting and massive rebounding defect, en route to a season-opener loss to the Pelicans
Opening night. The Memphis Grizzlies are so back. The Grizzlies hosted the New Orleans Pelicans for the 1st game of the season, as it’s the 4th-straight season the opener has been at the FedExForum. The vibes are always better on the first game of the season. The Grizzlies amped it up by having legends Zach Randolph and Tony Allen do the pregame intros for the starters.
It’s so good to be back.
But the results weren’t the ones desired.
While there was apparent rust from a shooting standpoint to start the game, the defense and ball movement felt crisp. The Grizzlies got rocked in the second quarter, as the Pelicans obliterated them with 3’s in the period.
There were signs of life in the 2nd half, but they couldn’t fully close the deficit in the 3rd quarter. However, the Grizzlies just couldn’t put together the necessary stops to close the gap in the 4th quarter — suffering a 111-104 loss to start the season.
Tough way to start the season, but 81 more games are on tap. No reason to fret. Anyway “Core 4” takes of the game.
Small-ball isn’t the reason for rebound deficit
The Grizzlies opted to roll with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman handling center responsibilities for all 48 minutes, leaning with more “small-ball” principles.
Everyone will point to the rebounds, as the Pelicans crushed 52-37 on the glass. Math prevailed as the Pelicans grabbed more rebounds, because the Grizzlies missed more shots. However, more evident in the 4th quarter, the Pelicans simply sought the ball better than the Grizzlies and won the 50/50 balls.
For example, Herb Jones got an and-1 off a putback, rebounded his missed free throw, and the ball swung to McCollum.
Then, there was the sequence earlier in the game where Dyson Daniels was setting himself up for “Shaqtin a Fool” by blowing *two* open layups in the game. Ultimately, he saved himself by corralling a second offensive rebound, because the Grizzlies didn’t hustle on the boards.
Those moments can’t happen. In postgame, Taylor Jenkins, Marcus Smart, and Desmond Bane pointed to the urgency on the glass — noting it’s a 5-man effort. It has to be a committee deal without Steven Adams in the fold.
People will blame small-ball, but they were still getting out-rebounded in their Jaren/X lineups. They have to find the right force on the boards.
Marcus Smart debut
Marcus Smart’s Grizzlies debut was solid, but imperfect.
Smart provided a good amount of rim pressure, getting downhill for shots in the paint or at the free throw line. He forced his jumper here and there, but he went 2-6, which isn’t awful considering the night the Grizzlies had from 3.
He also didn’t find his rhythm as a playmaker, generating 5 turnovers against 3 assists. His playmaking should shine as he’s developing chemistry and rhythm with his teammates.
Smart’s value immediately shined defensively. He was diving on the floor for loose balls, and coming away with steals and deflections.
Defending Zion — a blueprint to monitor
Last season, the Grizzlies developed a sound strategy at containing Zion Williamson. Dillon Brooks at the point of attack, Jaren Jackson sagging off a non-shooter, and Steven Adams on the paint-bound Jonas Valanciunas. Obviously, new characters in the fold force adjustments.
Xavier Tillman served as the primary defender on Williamson, and Jackson roaming as he helped off Valanciunas.
Though Zion did catch Jackson on a nasty poster jam, their strategy worked. Zion’s shooting percentage turned around towards the end of the game, but the Grizzlies forced him into 3 turnovers, and Jackson met him at the rim 4 different instances.
Tillman did a great job funneling Zion into the paint, while Jackson showed precise timing to slide over to shrink his finishing window to force misses.
It won’t be the last time you see a similar defensive strategy, where Tillman handles the more talented frontcourt player, and Jackson is on a non-spacer so he can roam near the paint for help defense.
Desmond Bane is on his way to an All-Star campaign
The Grizzlies were in need of offense, as they were simply cold throughout the night. Desmond Bane delivered, showcasing the entire bag in the process. He finished with 31 points on 12-22 shooting (5-10 from 3), 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
In a night everyone went cold from 3, Bane was the only one hot from distance — connecting 5 of his 10 three’s.
Bane also handled the bulk of creation responsibilities. He was one of the few Grizzlies that was successful in applying rim pressure. He also leveraged the threat of the 3-ball and the drive to get into the mid-range jumper.
In this instance, Bane turned the corner off the hesi, once switched on Herb Jones — an elite perimeter defender. He stopped on a dime at the nail to rise up for the mid-range jumper. It’s an encapsulation of how Desmond Bane has grown as a creator.
Bane carried the Grizzlies’ offense, and got his All-Star campaign off to a good start in the process.
It’s game 1 of 82. Long season ahead. Shots will fall — looking at Luke Kennard, 44% 3-point shooter over the past two seasons. They’ll make tweaks. They’ll find a rhythm.
Up next, the defending champion Denver Nuggets come to town.
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