Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks

When: Saturday, December 23rd, 6:30 PM

Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

How To Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

Ah. So this is what it’s like to have your superstar back, huh? I sure did miss it.

After handing the Pelicans and the Pacers each a loss, the Grizzlies now head to Atlanta. The Hawks are a team that likes—strike that, loves—shooting the three ball. If we’re being honest… This matchup has an eerie amount in common with the game against Indiana.

The Grizzlies’ defense proved to be up to the task in that contest. How will they do on Christmas Eve’s Eve? There’s a good bit to look forward to here, not least among them the continual play of Ja Morant. Here’s what I’m looking out for in this Memphis matchup.

Dueling Backcourts

Let me preface this: I’m aware that one of the following backcourts have played a grand total of two games… That’s—count ’em—two games this season together. Let me also preface this with… I don’t particularly care.

I’m still riding with 12 and 22.

This matchup against the Hawks features a battle of two of the best backcourt pairings in the league, at least by my thinking. If you’re going with what each bring to the table?

On the one hand you’ve got Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Not too shabby a pairing if we’re being honest. Plus it’s not as if the two are having off seasons. Young is on pace to match his All-Star season’s numbers at his current rate. He’s averaging 28.2 PTS, 3.0 TRB and 11.1 AST—a career high—per game so far this season.

Murray, meanwhile, is posting fine numbers, albeit a bit lower than he’s used to. On the season his per game averages are as follows… 20.0 PTS, 4.3 TRB, and 5.4 AST. Fine numbers, but those rebound numbers are the lowest since his rookie year.

The pairing don’t appear to be clicking quite like the Hawks hoped. Not like what the Grizzlies are working with.

Ja Morant’s playmaking last night was special pic.twitter.com/gJVDnvdlZO

— Bryson (@BrysonWright3) December 22, 2023

On the—two game, I guess—season, here’s Morant’s and Bane’s stats:

1. Ja: 27.0 PTS, 5.5 TRB and 8.0 AST.
2. Des: 24.7 PTS, 4.5 TRB, and 5.2 AST.

Oh, and the former is shooting 56.3% on twos and 83.3% from the line. The latter? 53.1% on twos and 85.3% from the line.

It’s been only 93 possessions… But in lineups with Des at the 2 and Ja at the 1, the offense has been deadly. Those lineups are in the league’s 86th percentile in point differential per Cleaning the Glass.

On the offensive end? The 93rd percentile in points per possession, the 96th percentile in effective field goal percentage and the 89th percentile in offensive rebounding percentage. Look, both duos are doing work out there. But the Ja/Des tandem is clicking on a different level plain and simple.

Ja Morant has tremendously impacted the morale and confidence of the team since being back.

Plays like this were missed for being extremely fun but it also shows how much he trusts his teammates and how much his teammates learn to trust themselves.

12 back 💙 Team back pic.twitter.com/60nx3fZe9L

— myke (@NBAMyke) December 22, 2023

Is the Rotation Solidifying?

Again, it’s been two games… But with Ja at the helm, pieces of the Grizzlies’ rotation appear to finally be falling into place. And everyone’s not even healthy yet.

You’ve got your starting five all but figured out… Morant, Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Willimas Jr. and Bismack Biyombo. Marcus Smart stands to replace Vince upon his return. It’s worth noting the ‘Flying V’ has been sublime in replacement of Smart. Memphis must convert his two-way come season’s end.

The Indiana Pacers w/ Vince Williams Jr. as the Primary Defender:

5-16 from the field
1-5 from 3
3 turnovers
Only 14 Points on 16 shot attempts
only 1-2 from the line

Haliburton individually

3-8 from field
1-5 from 3
2 turnovers
1-2 from line

Vince locked in again!!!! pic.twitter.com/FTDIyZ9nmT

— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) December 22, 2023

So there’s six guys. Throw in Luke Kennard once he’s back and Santi Aldama—dude’s earned his minutes—that’s eight. Then you have four other guys getting minutes. Xavier Tillman Sr., Ziaire Williams, John Konchar and David Roddy.

Guess what? You don’t have to be a basketball genius to know you aren’t rolling with a 12-man rotation. So who gets the nod(s)?

It’s unfortunate but it looks like it’s not David Roddy. His minutes have diminished in each of the two games since Ja’s been back. The other three? It’s bit tougher. Each play like the optimal version of themselves with Morant on the floor.

In particular Z. That dude seems like a different hooper when he shares the floor with Ja. He fits like a damn glove in the dunker’s spot we know 12 loves dishing to. It seems as if he’s penciled in at this point, as well, so mark him down as guy number nine.

Ja tosses up the lob for Ziaire Williams 👀 https://t.co/cvEtaxAVvR pic.twitter.com/5Dc8L4CTLK

— NBA (@NBA) December 22, 2023

Now, you have to imagine we see less Vince Williams with the return of Marcus Smart, but fingers crossed it’s not a ton. Let’s mark that number down to eight to be safe. I don’t see three of these young guys getting in the lineup.

I do see X sneaking in, though. I was speaking of diminished minutes earlier… Look at Bismack Biyombo. As useful as he was to clog the holes in this team in these early games, there’s a chance he doesn’t fit with Ja moving forward. If that ends up being the case, look for Tillman to sneak in.

That leaves Jitty as your 9th man and your rotation as follows:

Not only is that the rotation of a team that can compete, it’s a team with at least one more move left in them as well. I didn’t even get to Brandon Clarke—appearing to rehab head of schedule—and Derrick Rose. All that to say, having too many guys is a good problem to have. And the Grizzlies seem real close to finding out their best ten.

Photo Credit: (AP Photo)