Las Vegas Summer League Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Orlando Magic

When: 6:00 PM CST, Wednesday, July 17th, 2024

Where: Las Vegas Summer League, Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV

How to Watch/Stream: NBA TV and Grind City Media App

The temperature in Las Vegas isn’t the only thing red hot in the desert right now. The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a 2-0 start with an average margin of victory of 20 points! GG Jackson II is picking up where he left off last season, leading all Grizzlies with 20.0 points per game followed closely by Jake LaRavia at 18.0 ppg. The Grizzlies have had the best players on the court in both of their Las Vegas games but will that trend continue against the Orlando Magic tonight? Once again, will we see Zach Edey tonight? Tune in tonight at 6:00 pm to see if the streaking Grizzlies can continue their dominant run through the Las Vegas Summer League.

3 Storylines for tonight’s game

Will Memphis continue to be the best team on the floor?

In every game the Memphis Grizzlies have played so far this summer league, they have been the superiorly talented team. GG Jackson II has been lighting up the score board, while being more efficient in his shot selection. For me, the bright spot has been Jake LaRavia. Now, it has been well documented that I have been out on LaRavia from the beginning. I have been on numerous shows on this network championing the “Trade Jake LaRavia” movement.

However, it is time for me to eat some crow. Jake LaRavia might have a shot as a bench shooting asset. Since Kleiman came out in support of LaRavia prior to Salt Lake, all he has done is hoop. Plus, LaRavia earned a lot of credit with me for opting in as a 3 year player to play in the Summer League and has shown tremendous growth already. There is no denying that his shot is smooth and he can create with the ball in spite of some slower footwork. LaRavia has looked the part of an NBA bench player, as has some of running mates. GG is what GG is, a budding star (but with an assist problem) that can just flat out score. Scottie Pippen, Jr. and Cam Spencer have done the most to prove their meddle as possible role players for us, effectively solving our back up PG problem in my humble opinion.

All of these guys have shown that they are much more talented than the summer league rosters they have faced in either league. The Magic don’t have anyone that will compare to these guys. Pippen and GG’s NBA experience last season alone automatically make them head and shoulders above most of the Magic roster. Anthony Black and Tristan Da Silva have been leading the Magic this summer but I don’t think they compare to any of the Grizzlies’ back court. I look for the Grizzlies to field a more talented team and dominate the game once again.

Paging Jaylen Wells! Your party is ready for you!

Speaking of rookies, where has Jaylen Wells gone? After a 27 point explosion where he hit the game winning shot, Wells’ offensive game has gone cold again. Jaylen averaged 14.5 points per game in Salt Lake City but has regressed to a paltry 9.5 points per game on 31% from the field in Vegas. Woof. The only thing worse is his 3 point percentage clocking in at 14% in Las Vegas. I am desperately trying to not make the Ziaire comparison here. (Deep breath. You can do this.)

I think Jaylen is very talented and what I appreciate about him is that even though his shot isn’t falling, he is still contributing in the hustle categories. Wells is averaging 4 rebounds per game in the summer leagues combined and is using his length on defense. He slowed down a hot 76ers roster in Salt Lake and stepped up in the Dallas game on Monday night. Wells added 13 points to 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals in the 20 point victory. There is a lot to like about the way he moves with and without the basketball, as he finds himself in good position on both ends of the floor. Jaylen needs to see some shots fall and this game is the perfect time for him to find it again. He hasn’t quit or hung his head that I have seen. It looks like a small case of the yips that can be resolved with reps and continued usage against the Magic. We all have seen what he has in him, I predict he brings back that offensive explosion tonight!

Just because I have to… Will Zach Edey play?

Another Memphis Summer League game, another article wondering if Zach will play. Honestly, I think the signing of Drew Pember tells me Zach might be hanging it up for the time being but I am going to hope he does play. This is another game where I don’t think the Grizz *need* him per se but man it is nice to watch him hoop. After a really strong showing against a 3 year NBA vet center in Walker Kessler, I have just been wanting more of it.

Like the old Pringles commercial, “once you pop, you just can’t stop” is my feelings toward watching Edey play. He showed everything he is capable of in that first game. From emphatically denying (and dunking on) Kessler to diving for loose balls and standing up for LaRavia, Edey quickly won over most of the Memphis faithful. I understand the logic behind him resting his ankle and the Grizzlies’ slowing playing it (which they are painfully known for), I really do. However, fan isn’t short for fanatic for no reason. After what has been a painfully small sample size, I would like to see more of what we have in the Canadian big man. I want more Zach Edey. Memphis wants more Zach Edey. If the front office is reading this – please give us one more game!