Last Week:13↑
2023-24 record: 27-55
OffRtg: 106.8 (30) DefRtg: 113.7 (12) NetRtg: -6.9 (26) Pace: 98.7 (17)
Key addition(s): Zach Edey
Key departure(s): Ziaire Williams
Three numbers to know:
The Grizzlies saw the league’s biggest drops (from 2022-23 to ’23-24) in winning percentage, points scored per 100 possessions and point differential per 100 possessions.
Their most-used lineup played just 68 total minutes, the fewest for any team’s most-used lineup in the 17 seasons for which we have lineup data.
They were the only team that ranked in the bottom five in field goal percentage in the paint, midrange field goal percentage and 3-point percentage, finishing 29th in all three.
Key question: Do they have the right mix?
The Grizz just needed to get healthy. They’ve got six competent vets, along with young guys like Santi Aldama, GG Jackson II and Vince Williams Jr. who can contribute to a winning team. And even with all the injuries last season, they still had a strong defense.
But with Marcus Smart being one of those vets, and Jaren Jackson Jr. likely to play more at the five than in previous competitive seasons, it will be a new mix. As noted above, no Grizzlies lineup played more than 68 minutes last season. They did play 463 minutes with at least three of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Smart and Jackson on the floor, and they were outscored by 2.8 points per 100 possessions in those minutes. The Grizzlies aren’t just picking up where they left off 15 months ago.
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