It’s something about those Memphis Grizzlies when they square off against the Dallas Mavericks.
For the second time in a week, the Grizzlies squared off against their Southwest Division rival. Down by 16 points at the end of the third quarter, the Grizzlies rallied in the final frame to emerge victorious 112-108 over the Mavericks. Led by Jaren Jackson’s 28 points, Memphis’s victory solidified their spot as the second-ranked team in the clustered Western Conference. Here’s a breakdown of a few of the players that stood out to me.
Jaren Jackson Jr.- 28 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 10-16 FG, 1 block, -2
Jaren Jackson Jr. produced another solid all-around game for the Grizzlies last night. Despite not being the shot-blocking menace Memphis fans are used to, his presence in the paint certainly gave Mavericks defenders pause as they considered entering the paint. In addition, he used his size against an overwhelmed Dallas front line to pretty much get what he wanted.
Let’s talk about those 28 points JJJ put up though. His work on his post game has improved tremendously, and last night against Dallas represented his 4th-straight game with 25 or more points. That’s really impressive for someone who everyone knows can bring it on the defensive end, but many questions on his game were centered around the offensive side of the ball.
If JJJ continues this level of play when star point Ja Morant returns to the lineup, the Grizzlies will remain a serious threat to come out of the Western Conference. Consistency has always been something I questioned when it came to Jaren, and he’s answered the bell as of late.
Grade- A
Santi Aldama-22 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 6-12 FG, 2-6 3 PT, +4
This game easily was the best performance backup forward Santi Aldama has produced in his brief NBA career.
Aldama feasted on the aforementioned Dallas front line, getting to his spots on offense while also getting to the free throw line frequently as well. His 14 rebounds were a career high, and really impressed me more than the points.
Santi also played a key role in the early part of the 4th quarter, helping the Grizzlies rally back from a 16-point deficit to reduce the Mavericks lead to just 2. His development over the course of the season continues to impress both fans and other players alike. Last night, his confidence seemed to be at an all-time high, even when he was unsuccessful in converting a few of his shots. I’m a fan of his game, and I think that his play will certainly be key off the bench for Memphis as they enter the crunch-time of the season.
Grade- A+
Tyus Jones- 16 points, 7-10 FG, 2-4 3 PT, 6 assists, +7
Solid. Dependable. Starter.
All those words can be associated with Tyus Jones.
He’s played really well overall in the absence of Morant, and last night was no exception. Spearheading Memphis like a general last night, he posted 16 points and 6 assists while having just one turnover.
With Ja Morant likely re-entering the lineup Wednesday, Jones will be delegated to his backup role. However, Grizzlies fans will appreciate his efforts as a starter while Morant was on the mend.
He’s emerged as a big-time point guard.
Grade- A