Insider Insights from Chicago: The Grizzlies get trampled by the Bulls

When the Grizzlies came to Chicago a year ago – with Ja Morant and Desmond Bane – they blew a first-half lead and lost 128-107. The Bulls outscored Memphis 40-16 in that third quarter, blowing the game wide open. Once again, it was a third-quarter run that sunk the Grizzlies against Chicago last night. 

The Grizzlies looked undermanned early. Down their two leading scorers, Marcus Smart, Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, Memphis was no match for Chicago and as the game went on it was clear they were out of gas. 

As a college student at Northwestern University, outside of Chicago, I had not seen the Grizzlies in person yet this season. Tonight does not encapsulate Memphis’s year, but I do have some takeaways from Memphis’s 125-96 loss to the Bulls.

The three-point offense is not working

Memphis’s offense was abysmal from the opening tip. The Grizzlies scored 17 points in the first quarter on 40% from the field and 26.7% from three. Fifteen of the Grizzlies’ 20 shots in the opening period were from beyond the arc which is inexcusable for a team that ranks dead last in three-point percentage (34.2%). As things began to get out of control in the third quarter, the woes of Memphis’s three-point offense struck again. The Grizzlies shot 4/11 from deep in the period and, once again, the majority of Memphis’s shots were from beyond the arc; 11 of the Grizzlies’ 18 field goal attempts were threes.

Jenkins on the Grizzlies's three-point offense: pic.twitter.com/32cK9PKQE0

— Grizzly Bear Blues (@bcmGrizzlies) January 21, 2024

In total, Memphis shot 13/42 (31%) from beyond the arc and 19/33 (57.6%) on two-point attempts. The Grizzlies are not a good three-point shooting team, this is not news. They are especially bad without Bane and Smart, who were red hot before getting injured. With Jackson as the number one option, there is no reason to not go into the paint. He was dominant against Minnesota on Thursday, scoring 24 paint points (the second most in his career). Against Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond, Jackson should have feasted, instead, he settled for 1/7 from beyond the arc.

The only thing I can think of comparing this to is a play-action pass. For the play-action pass (three-pointers) to work, they have to establish the run (paint scoring). Too many of the Grizzlies’ three-point attempts are contested, early in the shot clock and out of rhythm. If Memphis makes a greater attempt at driving into the paint, the threes will present themselves. Until then, the Grizzlies are going to continue being the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA.

The Grizzlies need size

If Memphis makes a move at the trade deadline, it should be to acquire another backup big man. The Grizzlies were killed on the glass last night; Chicago had 52 total rebounds to Memphis’s 32. The Bulls hauled in 10 more offensive rebounds, giving them extra possessions and, as a result, more points. 

With no Xavier Tillman, Clarke or Adams, the Grizzlies simply did not have the size to outrebound Vucevic or Drummond, both of whom hauled in double-digit rebounds. Memphis is at a constant disadvantage on the offensive boards when Jackson is at the five since he is often stretched beyond the arc. Aldama had eight rebounds and John Konchar had five but all on the defensive side. It is not unspoken wisdom to say the Grizzlies miss Adams, one of the league’s top rebounders last season. Nor is it news to say they miss Clarke and Tillman who both average nearly 9 rebounds per 36 minutes. Regardless, they are not available right now.

It is unclear if Adams is the Grizzlies’ big man of the future, but with his injury history, it would be smart to buy some insurance. Clarke will likely not be the same player he was pre-achilles injury and Tillman’s minutes are so inconsistent it is hard to say if he is a significant part of Memphis’s future. There will be big men available at the trade deadline and on the buyout market. Even if it is just bringing back Bismack Biyombo, the Grizzlies need someone else to back the frontline alongside JJJ. 

The Grizzlies continue their road trip Monday in Toronto.

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)