The Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets both were playing the second game of a back to back on Wednesday night. And they both looked like it through the first half of their game. Neither team had consistent stretches of success and Memphis only led by three entering the third quarter.
Then, Desmond Bane and the Grizzlies took control – as they have a tendency to do to start the second half – and against a team as bad as the Rockets, a 38-24 third quarter win was more than enough to secure the road victory.
Some quick takeaways from a business-like victory for the Grizzlies to start their four-game road trip.
Desmond Bane is rising
In 2023 Desmond Bane is shooting very well from the floor. Across 21 January/February games, Bane shot 43.7% from beyond the arc and roughly 49.5% overall from the field. The problem was that the volume wasn’t comparable – he was taking fewer shots and scoring fewer points as a result in fewer minutes than he was before his toe injury cost him a sizable chunk of his season.
Against the Rockets – especially in the third quarter – Bane looked ready to shoulder a larger usage load. He led the team in shooting overall for the game, and while he likely won’t always shoot well over 60% from the field as he did in Houston the fact that he maintained efficiency as he took on more of the brunt of the offense’s production.
Ja Morant remains a special scorer and offensive weapon. But an All-Star caliber Bane – which he was back at the start of the season and could be again – will make Memphis a more legitimate threat in the Western Conference. This was the first time Bane scored 30 or more points since his return from injury.
A good night to get right.
Santi Aldama remains good
What a wonderful development Santi Aldama’s season has been. Entering the season Memphis Grizzlies front office personnel and coaches likely hoped that Santi Aldama would be ready to be the team’s 4th big and provide some spacing in spots for the bench. But even they likely didn’t see Eurosteps and an almost 60% true shooting mark in his immediate future.
Aldama provides a lot of what Kyle Anderson did not – offensive scoring versatility – with a little bit of what he did. He has a better ability to get to the basket off the dribble than you think.
He also has a frame that enables him to find mismatches on the floor and exploit them as a forward. He “in theory” can play the “3” but is really a “4” and helps make the skill set of Brandon Clarke off the bench pop because of the 36% three point mark he boasts this season.
When Steven Adams returns, which big gets forced out of the rotation bears watching. Maybe Grizzlies Head Coach thinks Santi can play the perimeter role more and he replaces John Konchar. But between Xavier Tillman’s recent run of success and Aldama’s clear growth, Memphis has a wealth of big man depth to deploy.
Quick Hits
- GOOD DILLON BROOKS – 5-10 from the field? 4-8 from three? What is this efficiency from the former Oregon Duck? The Rockets have developed a reputation as a team where players can get right offensively, and while Bane was the most direct beneficiary in this game Brooks isn’t far behind. Time will tell if this is a “funk breaker”. But for one night, Dillon scored nicely.
- JAREN JACKSON JR. REMAINS A WORLD EATER. Five blocks. Two three-pointers. 17 points. He is a problem for opponents on both ends of the floor, and more and more he is realizing it on a nightly basis. He had mismatch opportunities that he didn’t take advantage of enough, but he was still impactful scoring while also being his usually dominant self as a defender of the rim.
- NO MORE ROAD LOSING STREAK. The 8-game skid on the road ends, and not a moment too soon. The Grizzlies take on the Denver Nuggets Friday, the L.A. Clippers Sunday, and the Lakers Tuesday to close out this trip away from FedExForum. The next three will be much tougher. This was an important win as Memphis tries to keep Sacramento away from the #2 seed.
Memphis is back in action Friday night in Denver to take on the Nuggets. Tip-off is set for 9 PM CT on ESPN.