Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 13 of the Grizzlies’ first 17 points to lead the team to an early 23-14 advantage. The Grizzlies rode that wave as they led by as many as 13 points on their way to a 31-20 lead to end the first quarter.
After the Grizzlies pushed their lead to 14 points early in the second quarter, the Hawks responded with a strong defensive effort as they held the Grizzlies to 15 points in the quarter to come back to tie the score at 46 at the half. The Hawks then began the second half making five of their first six shot attempts to take a nine-point lead early in the third quarter at 57-48. After a timeout, the Grizzlies responded with a 9-0 run to tie the score at 57 before the Hawks rebounded with a 12-0 run to lead 69-57.
After an 8-0 response from the Grizzlies to cut their deficit to four, Dejounte Murray scored back-to-back baskets to lead the Hawks to an 80-72 lead at the end of the third quarter. Vince Williams Jr. led the Grizzlies on a fourth-quarter surge as they began the quarter on a 9-3 run to cut their deficit to 83-81. However, the Hawks had an answer for every Grizzlies run as they held on down the stretch for a 99-92 victory.
As for the main takeaway:
Jake LaRavia’s Recent Surge
Jake LaRavia’s career has been marred by inconsistent play and injuries in his first two years as a pro out of Wake Forest but his play lately has been a revelation for the team and his confidence. After being drafted by the Grizzlies with the 19th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft many projected that he could be the additional shooter for a team that lacked shooters and that hasn’t been the case.
In a limited role during his rookie season in which he played 35 games, Jake LaRavia shot 36.7% on catch-and-shoot opportunities from three on only 1.7 attempts per game. So far this season he had shot only 24.4% on catch-and-shoot opportunities from three on 2.5 attempts per game in the 18 games he played before last night’s contest. Despite a small sample size, it looks likely that LaRavia is not a spot-up shooter and was never meant to be his game.
Since his recent return from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly two months, he has shown the ability to score off hustle plays as an energy guy off the bench. He has scored in double figures in four of his last seven games played after scoring in double figures only four times total in his 46 career games played until his recent stretch. Included in his recent scoring surge was his career-high of 21 points against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 1st.
Also, Jake LaRavia has shown an ability to rebound for a team that is lacking in that department with a total of 23 rebounds in his last two games entering last night’s matchup. Coming off not only his first double-double of his career but back-to-back double-doubles, Jake LaRavia put up 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Jake LaRavia’s recent stretch has been the best of his short career and can only help his confidence as he continues to gain this valuable experience. LaRavia might not become what was expected of him when he was drafted but sometimes a player just needs time and opportunity and that is what he is getting right now and taking advantage of it.
Start/Stop/Continue
CONTINUE allowing Vince Williams Jr. to be the primary ballhandler as his development in that department will do wonders for the teams’ future. After notching another six-assist game, it has become a norm for him, and the potential for that added skillset while playing with the full roster will be beneficial when that time comes. Coach Taylor Jenkins credited Vince’s decision making and ability to initiate the offense as he anticipates him as a ball handler option when the team is fully healthy.
Coming Up
The Grizzlies will hit the road again to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder for their second matchup this season. The Thunder won the first matchup on December 18th in Oklahoma City.
Final Quote
“Dejounte Murray got comfortable early hitting tough shots. We got to be able to adjust defensively.” – Jake LaRavia