Insider Insights: Grizzlies Collapse in 4th, Timberwolves Surge to Victory

In what ended up being a game with a significant level of competitiveness to it… The Grizzlies fought hard until the very end. But were unable to pull out the victory against the West-leading Timberwolves.

It was by no means from lack of trying. Far from it.

The guys were in this one until the closing minutes of the fourth. Keeping pace with Minnesota through most of regulatation. And a lot of it was on the back of one, Jaren Jackson Jr.

He was by far the best player Memphis had on the floor, and was damn near the best player on the entire court. Trip finished with 33 PTS, a game-high 13 REB, 3 STL, and 1 BLK. This was while playing almost 38 minutes last night, on shooting splits of 47.8/30.0/80.0%.

It was one of the most complete game we’ve seen out of Jaren in sometime. Which was unfortunate. Because it wasn’t enough to put Anthony Edwards and the T-wolves away.

Still there were things of note to take away from the 110-101 loss. And as the season creeps towards its conclusion… every little thing the Grizzlies can take away from these games count.

Ziaire Williams, Making His Case

Amidst a tumultuous season, Ziaire Williams is attempting to carve out a spot in the rotation. He must’ve known the writing was on the wall… If he wasn’t careful that is.

Gone are David Roddy. Gone are Xavier Tillman Sr. Not to mention Jake LaRavia who many in the fanbase wish was gone. Meanwhile, Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson II have emerged as core pieces moving forward.

Not to mention his fellow ’21 draft-mate—Santi Aldama. He at least seems to have shown more consistency on the NBA level. In fact… The biggest question mark heading as we sprint toward the end of the season?

That may well be Z.

At the very least, the back-half of the season is serving as an audition tape of sorts. Williams knows the roster spots are filling up as the team gears up. Gears up for a true-blue title run next seasno once the calvary’s returned.

So where does that leave Ziaire? Well… It may surprise you…. But so far on the season Z is posting career highs in PTS (8.2), REB (3.4), and AST (1.5).

How about last night? Well last night you could make an argument he was the second best playeer for Memphis. His 16 PTS and 8 REB were good enough for second best on the team behind JJJ.

Even more impressive is when he’s played throughout February. He’s averaging 12.8 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.8 AST, and 1.4 STL per game on the month. That’s on 45.3% shooting from the field in about 29.9 minutes per game.

If the Grizzlies are able to continue and get this type of production out Williams? Well he’ll have made a strong a case to why he deserves to have a spot on this roster.

Why The Lamar Stevens Detour?

In a surprise last night, Taylor Jenkins decided to only play Lamar Stevens about 10 minutes. 10 minutes in a game that seemed within reach for a good part of the evening. To that I say… Why?

Why would you not play the guy who—I would argue—has been your best guy? Your best guy on the floor behind JJJ in most games. Stevens at least has been the Grizzlies best guy since acquired at the deadline.

Before last night? Lamar had been averaging 12.4 PTS, 6.8 REB, 1.0 AST, and 1.2 BLK in Memphis. The real kicker? He’s been shooting the ball at 58.7% clip from the field during that time as well.

Why—out of nowhere—would you have him play this amount of minutes. The lowest amount in the rotation for guys that weren’t hurt… Or who weren’t named Yuta Watanabe.

It seems strange if you ask me. Now, if it was a matchup thing I guess I get it. But if it’s only to stay in line with tanking? That feels like you’re doing Stevens a disservice.

And even though it’s been a small-ish sample size, he’s already going a long way. A long way towards claiming a spot in the rotation and proving he belongs here.

He’ll of course… Need to keep playing so he can make that happen. So we’ll see what TJ has planned to close out the season for Stevens. I for one would love to see him in Beale St. Blue next year.

If the end of your bench is Lamar Stevens? You can do much worse I promise you that.

Photo Credit: (Craig Lassig/AP Photo)