Insider Insights: Seven Players Score in Double Figures, Grizzlies Sweep Pistons

With Jaren Jackson Jr. and Luke Kennard ruled out, the Grizzlies began their third matchup against the Detroit Pistons with their league-leading 48th different starting lineup with Scotty Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, GG Jackson II, Jake LaRavia, and Trey Jemison.

That group began the game shooting 5-9 from the field, led by GG Jackson’s 3-3 start to tie with the Pistons at 13 before the first substitution. Lamar Stevens then led the bench unit with 11 first-quarter points as the Grizzlies ended the quarter on a 19-3 run after trailing 19-13 to lead 32-22.

The Grizzlies extended their lead to as many as 22 points in the second quarter behind a dominating defensive performance and points in the paint. The Grizzlies outscored the Pistons 25-16 in the second quarter behind 15 forced turnovers (11 steals) and a 32-12 advantage on paint points to lead 57-38 at halftime.

Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 10 of the Grizzlies’ first 16 points to begin the second half to help extend their lead to their largest of the season at 27 points with a 73-46 advantage. The Pistons pushed the pace to cut their deficit but couldn’t get closer than 17 points the rest of the third quarter as the Grizzlies led 89-70 going into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter ran much of the same as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Detroit Pistons 108-90 for their third straight win and 3-0 season series sweep of the Pistons. The Grizzlies outplayed the Pistons in nearly every statistical category with only eight players available.

Now for the main takeaways:

Record-breaking players to play in one season

Last night’s matchup marked the battle of two teams that have tied to break the record this season with the most players to play in one NBA season at 31 players each. With only five games remaining in the season for both teams, the race to 32 players may be attainable especially if the Grizzlies’ injury report remains similar to last night with 12 players ruled out due to injury.

Thanks to the Grizzlies’ recent 10-day contract additions of Maozinha Pereira and Zavier Simpson, the team could roll out the eight players required to play an NBA game against the Detroit Pistons. Only three of the Grizzlies’ eight available players were full-time roster guys (GG Jackson, Jake LaRavia, Lamar Stevens) and three were two-way guys (Scotty Pippen Jr., Trey Jemison, Jordan Goodwin). Lamar Stevens was the only Grizzlies’ player who played last night who has not been on a 10-day contract or played in a G-League game this season.

As this season comes to a close, here is a list of the 31 players who have played for the Grizzlies and games played thus far:

The 31 players don’t include those who were rostered at some point and didn’t play a game for the Grizzlies this season. Those players include Steven Adams (traded to Houston Rockets) and Chimezie Metu (traded to Grizzlies and waived). This is the Grizzlies’ record-breaking season in a nutshell.

Familiar Faces

Speaking of record-breaking players used in one season, two of the players who played on a 10-day contract for the Grizzlies this season are now with the Detroit Pistons. Tosan Evbuomwan, who got the start against the Grizzlies last night, signed a 10-day contract with the Detroit Pistons after his 10-day stint with the Grizzlies in mid-February and is now on a two-way contract with the Pistons.

Jaylen Nowell, who signed two consecutive 10-day contracts with the Grizzlies in November and December, signed a 10-day contract with the Pistons on April 3rd and came off the bench last night. Also, Chimezie Metu signed with the Pistons last month after being waived by the Grizzlies the day after he was traded without logging any minutes for the team.

Start/Stop/Continue

CONTINUE the odd schedule tweak (NBA In-Season Tournament) that allowed the Memphis Grizzlies to play the Detroit Pistons three times this season. In a normal season, the Western Conference teams play all Eastern Conference teams twice, divisional opponents four times, and the rest of the Western Conference a mix of three and four times. However, with the Grizzlies located more on the eastern side of the United States, flipping some of their four games against non-divisional Western Conference opponents to more three-game stands against Eastern Conference opponents would be a nice twist and add more rivals that are closer in proximity (Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, etc.).

Coming Up

The Grizzlies continue their season-ending five of six games at home with a back-to-back tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 PM CST. Marc Gasol’s jersey retirement ceremony will follow tonight’s game.

Final Quote

“We got a really good group of guys off the court and on the court so we can talk to each other off the court about anything. I think the coach does a great job of putting us in positions to be successful.” – Jordan Goodwin