Recap: Grizzlies shine in Ja Morant's home debut over Pacers
The Memphis Grizzlies are having fun again, as they beat the Pacers 116-103 in Ja Morant's 1st home game this season.
Memphis Grizzlies basketball feels so back with Ja Morant back in the lineup. The atmosphere felt like a playoff game, as the fans gave Morant the warmest “welcome back” ovation. Each time he entered the game, the crowd popped like it was his first time coming on the court.
On the floor, the Grizzlies' system just flows so much better. The ball has a different zip to it. Players seem more comfortable and confident with the kind of looks a point guard like Ja Morant generates. They’re getting out in transition, and going on huge runs.
Though it wasn’t the most perfect game, it did feel like a perfect night that illustrated the Grizzlies may be turning the page on their 6-19 start and are looking to find their stride to crash the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
Big 3 score 20+ each, again
It was incredibly evident that Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane were the emphasis for the Grizzlies, as they scored the team’s first 25 points. Everything ran through and for them. The beauty of running offense through the Big 3 is how it’s inside and out.
Morant leverages his drives into scoring or playmaking opportunities. Jackson sought out early mismatches to attack the Pacers’ defense off the dribble. Bane found his offense at all 3 levels on his way to a 31-point performance and a 5-12 shooting night from 3.
Credit to the Pacers defense on making it a bit challenging for the Big 3 in the second half, particularly with their interior defense. They crashed the paint to force them into missed shots and turnovers — as Morant shot 7-16 overall, Bane was 4-14 inside the arc, and Jackson coughed up 7 turnovers.
Nonetheless, the Big 3 showed how dominant they can be on the floor together, and how the offense hums in a variety of ways when it flows through them. They scored 72 of the team’s 116 points, all scoring 20+ points for the 2nd consecutive game.
Vince Williams on Tyrese Haliburton
Vince Williams Jr. was given the task of stopping yet another All-Star offensive talent by matching up with Tyrese Haliburton. Though he dropped 13 assists, the Pacers’ engine was cold shooting the rock — making just 7 of his 19 field goal attempts, and 2 of his 12 triple tries.
He extended his pressure from all 94 feet, and it stuck even when the Pacers got into their actions, as Williams denied Haliburton off the ball. Keeping the ball out of his hands was a point of emphasis for the Grizzlies defensively to slow him down. Granted, for an offense as good as the Pacers, they navigate ways out of it, but the Grizzlies ultimately slowed down both Haliburton and the team’s offense. Vince Williams Jr. deserves a lot of credit.
“When it was his opportunity to be physical on him, I thought he did a really good job. He’s continuing to show more and more and more just how he’s got to be locked in, in the physical presence and disciplined against these elite guards in the league.” - Taylor Jenkins
When served as the primary defender, Williams held Haliburton to 3-8 shooting (0-3 from 3) and 4 assists, while forcing 2 turnovers. His length and screen navigation shined in this matchup, as he fought through screens in order to get a good contest on his jumpers.
It was another defensive performance where Vince Williams Jr. passed with flying colors. In the process, he’s locking down a spot in the rotation once Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard return.
Game of runs
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Grizzlies in their 13-point win. After building a 22-point lead early in the 2nd quarter, the Pacers closed the gap to 2 by halftime. The Grizzlies’ offense ultimately got cold, which played into the Pacers’ hand. Indiana was able to get into their offense early, capitalizing on a scrambling Grizzlies’ defense — en rout to a 34-point 2nd quarter.
It seemed like it would be another nail-biter, one we’ve grown accustomed to in the early portion of the season. However, just like the New Orleans game, the Grizzlies buckled down in the 2nd half in order to secure the victory. Their 3rd quarter run played a huge role in these efforts, as Ja Morant and the bench unit popped and found a rhythm to extend the lead. Their energy on both sides off the ball fueled a run that ultimately became a catalyst in their win, as Morant and Santi Aldama credited it to coming up with stops and using them to get out and run.
Through this run, the bench really stepped up. Ziaire Williams and Santi Aldama were big with their complementary offense, combining to shoot 11-16 from the field and 6-9 from 3. The entire bench with those 2, John Konchar, and Xavier Tillman made big defensive stops as well — corralling 8 stocks combined.
The most electrifying play/challenge combination in franchise history
I’ve never seen a crowd erupt for a challenge call like they did after John Konchar’s block that was called for a foul. The second, Taylor Jenkins twirled his finger to signal the challenge, the crowd went absolutely bananas.
Konchar flew out in transition to sent Benedict Mathurin’s layup attempt straight into the glass. The ref even thinking it was a foul was so preposterous.
Nonetheless, John Konchar added this monster block — as well as another one — into his collection of sensation blocks through his career.
The Memphis Grizzlies will travel to Atlanta to play the Hawks on Saturday, kicking off a 4-game road trip. Can their momentum carry out of 2023 and into the new year? We’ll find out.
If this is the last thing I write before Christmas Day, then Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. And as always, thank you for the support on this journey.
If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis — aka “SubTsak” — follow this link to my Allie’s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.