WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (46-27, 14-22 home) at Atlanta Hawks (37-37, 21-15 home)
WHEN: 5:00 PM CT
WHERE: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, GA
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: NBATV/Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis
INJURY REPORT:
MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out, Knee), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Jake LaRavia (Out, NBA G-League Assignment), Vince Williams Jr. (Out, Shoulder), Ziaire Williams (Out, Ankle)
ATLANTA: Jalen Johnson (Out, Hamstring), Deandre Hunter (Out, Knee)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:
MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman
ATLANTA: Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dejounte Murray, John Collins, Clint Capela
The Memphis Grizzlies are back in action tonight against the Atlanta Hawks, seeking their sixth straight win. After a 151-114 stomping against the Houston Rockets on Friday, the Grizzlies hit the road for the first time in nine days. Memphis looks like a different team away from the FedEx Forum and is 2-8 in its last ten games not played in the Grindhouse.
Disregarding the Grizzlies’ road woes, Memphis has turned a corner and then some in its recent stretch. A group that has had many battles on and off the court as of late, the Grizzlies have won eight of their last nine, with many of Memphis’s core players out of the lineup. Much of Memphis’s recent success is accredited to standout performances from unexpected stars. Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard and David Roddy have all had career performances over Memphis’s last few games, chipping in while Ja Morant was away from the team and Steven Adams remains sidelined with an injury.
Memphis has games against fiercer competition such as the Clippers and Bucks coming up but it is important to not overlook a team like the Hawks. Atlanta is fighting for play-in positioning and every game could sway their chances of making the postseason. If the Grizzlies want to secure their sixth straight victory, the keys to the game are simple – continue to let Jaren Jackson Jr. cook and share the rock.
Let JJJ Cook
Over Jackson’s last five games, he is averaging 28.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. When Morant stepped away from the Grizzlies, it was obvious that JJJ was going to need to step up as a primary option, and while it took a few games, Jackson has thrived as Memphis’s franchise player. Jackson’s defensive prowess is indisputable (despite what people on Reddit think) but what has really taken a leap is his offensive game. In his fifth season, Jackson has improved his shooting percentage from the field and from beyond the arc and is averaging nearly two more points. What is surprising and disheartening, though, is that the All-Star’s field goal attempts have actually decreased. This is largely due to Jackson shooting fewer threes but regardless, his attempts are down from 13.3 to 12.8 per game.
With Morant out, Jackson’s shot attempts surged. Over his last five games, Trip is averaging 18.2 shots per game and is up to 58.2% from the field. For the year, Jackson has shot 46.3%, making it even more impressive that as JJJ’s shot attempts rose, his field goal percentage also skyrocketed. Beyond the numbers, you can see it on the court. It is evident. More than ever, Jackson is unstoppable and a force to be reckoned with that can get his own shot and outmuscle opponents. With JJJ playing like this, the Grizzlies’ ceiling reaches new heights and Memphis’s championship aspirations do not seem all that far off.
Share the Rock
Over Memphis’s five-game win streak, the Grizzlies have averaged 29.2 assists per game. This is a significant increase to Memphis’s season average of 25.7 assists per game. To put it into perspective only the Golden State Warriors average more assists than the Grizzlies have in this recent stretch.
The Grizzlies have unlocked a style of play that is not only highly successful but incredibly fun to watch. The Grizzlies had 36 assists in their big win over Houston on Friday, the twelfth most in franchise history. This type of on-court inclusivity is something that wins championships. In the past five seasons, at least one team that reached the finals was top five in assists per game. Right now, Memphis is 11th in assists per game but with this recent jump, the Grizzlies are looking more and more like a team primed to make a run for the NBA Finals.
What has made this recent stretch even more impressive, is that Morant, the Grizzlies’ assist leader, missed three of the games and has come off the bench on a minutes restriction in the other two. Tyus Jones has stepped up as per usual, averaging 9.2 assists during the win streak, and the rest of the team, from the starting lineup to the bench, has chipped in. All of these assists have led to easy baskets and open threes, allowing for shooting nights like Friday for Kennard. As long as the Grizzlies continue this trend, they should shred Atlanta’s defense, the ninth worst in the league, and get their sixth straight win.
Prediction
Memphis is hot. It is clear from the eye test and the data backs it up. The Grizzlies might be peaking at the perfect time as they get out of their rough patch. Atlanta has been within a game of .500 since December 7, which could be described as the very definition of mediocre. While Trae Young and Dejounte Murray are a talented backcourt, Memphis is streaking and ready to leave its road struggles behind them.
Prediction: Memphis 129, Atlanta 117