The Memphis Grizzlies cooled off from their hot start in December, but turned on the jets once again in a 12-4 January, which saw Memphis move up to second place in the Western Conference and third overall in the NBA. Here’s a few reasons for the Grizzlies’ improved play:
The Jeff Green Trade
The Grizzlies already had one of the most well-rounded rosters in the NBA, but there was still a hole in the lineup where an athletic starting-caliber small forward should be. Instead Memphis started a wing duo of Courtney Lee and Tony Allen, which was fine for most matchups, but struggled against tall athletic small forwards defensively. They also lacked the above-the-rim play on the offensive end.
The Grizzlies front office made a move in an attempt to fill that hole in early January, initiating a three-team trade that sent reserve wing Quincy Pondexter to New Orleans in exchange for rookie guard Russ Smith, and Tayshaun Prince, a future first round pick to, Boston for Jeff Green.
Green, a 6’9” sixth-year veteran with a knack for breaking to the rim for big-time slams and posterizing dunks, broke into the Grizzlies starting lineup within his first few games. In 10 contests with Memphis, he’s averaging 12.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range. Green’s also made an impact against larger small forwards defensively. In Saturday’s win against Oklahoma City, Green held current league-MVP Kevin Durant to 15 points on 5-16 shooting.
Defense Returns to Form
A major reason for the recent surge was that the Grizz returned to their roots as an elite defensive team.
For the season as a whole the Grizzlies defense has been down from recent years, but still ranking sixth in the league with 102.4 points allowed per 100 possessions (defensive rating). Memphis has been able to make up for the slight slip-up in the defense by becoming a top-10 offensive team, scoring 108 points per 100 possessions (Offensive rating), good for ninth in the NBA.
In December, these numbers were both noticeably worse, especially on the defensive end. Memphis’ defensive rating for the month of December was 106.5, and the offensive rating was 105.6. For reference, during the entire season, so far, only three teams — the Lakers, Knicks, and Timberwolves — have a defensive rating worse than the Grizzlies did in December. The drop could be partially attributed to an eye injury that caused defensive specialist Tony Allen to miss four games.
The defense turned it around in the new year, with the defensive rating dropping to 97.7. The offense was slightly worse for the second month in a row with a rating of 103.3, but the improved defense was able to make up for it and guide the Grizzlies to a 12-4 month. Allen played in 14 games in January, and the defense was at its best with him on the floor. With Allen in the game the Grizzlies gave up just 90.8 points per 100 possessions.
Zach Randolph Posts Monster Numbers Post-Injury
In late December Memphis’ star power forward Zach Randolph suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss nine games. The Grizzlies went 4-5 in Randolph’s absence, and have flourished in the power forward’s return. Memphis has won 10 of its last 12 contests, and Randolph has notched a double-double in all 12.
In the month of January Randolph is averaging 19.3 points and 13.8 rebounds on 55 percent shooting. He’s posted a couple of monster stat lines throughout the double-double streak, including 27 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Phoenix and 21 points and 18 rebounds in a win over Oklahoma City.
Looking Ahead to February
The Grizzlies play only 11 games in February due to the league’s extended All-Star break, but the month could prove to be the team’s toughest yet. Memphis plays eight of its 11 contests on the road, and five games against current playoff teams, including a home game against the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks, and home and away contests against the rival Los Angeles Clippers.
