Suddenly, a Memphis Grizzlies team that was suffering through a difficult November that included injuries to its star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. is making a late-month turnaround.
After a 102-96 victory over the host Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, the Grizzlies have won two straight for the first time this season. Morant and Jackson were absent for the second consecutive game, but the Grizzlies found a heartbeat ahead of Monday’s home game against the Denver Nuggets.
Returning big man Zach Edey and the contributions of Santi Aldama and Vince Williams Jr. have Memphis in recovery mode. The Grizzlies had dropped five straight and were without their top point guards when they overpowered Sacramento 137-96 Thursday to start the two-game win streak.
Edey has given Memphis the intimidating inside presence — offensively and defensively — it had been missing while he recovered from offseason ankle surgery. Edey posted a double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds against Dallas and had a crucial back-tap rebound to Williams with seven seconds remaining to preserve the win. The play led to a pair of free throws made by Williams.
Aldama moved into a starting role and has produced back-to-back 20-point games, including a career-high 29 points in the win over Sacramento. He had 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists Saturday to lead the Grizzlies over Dallas.
Williams has been a revelation running the offense. A shooting guard forced to play the point because of injuries to Morant and top backups Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr., Williams started at the position against Sacramento and dished a career-high 15 assists. His playmaking led to the Grizzlies setting a franchise record with 42 assists.
Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo said the team’s improvement on the boards, a nod to Edey’s return, has been a key. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Mavericks 61-41 and enjoyed a 23-11 advantage on the offensive glass.
“We had a season-high 23 offensive boards and a lot of those came with small-ball lineups after (reserve center) Jock (Landale) was no longer available (following a first-half neck injury),” Iisalo said. “And Zach did a tremendous job again, especially his last (offensive rebound) tipping the ball back out. That was a huge play.”
The team’s improved performance the last two games has been a result of multiple factors.
“It’s sticking to the things we know can give us a chance in this situation,” Iisalo said. “We are starving for a little creation (without true point guards) offensively but we are making up for it in the possession game. We kept the turnovers to 12 and got 23 extra shots. That’s plus-11 shot attempts for us. That’s the way to go.”
Solid defense has been a factor, too. The Grizzlies have held back-to-back opponents to fewer than 100 points.
The Nuggets were stunned at home Saturday, losing 128-123 to the same Sacramento team that was blown out by Memphis on Thursday. Denver had won nine of its previous 10 games, but couldn’t beat the Kings despite 44 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists from Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray added 23 points and nine assists.
Cam Johnson, who had 20 points in the losing effort, said the Nuggets can’t stress about one defeat.
“Eighty-two games is a long season and sometimes things happen,” Johnson said. “I think we have the depth and can rally and find ways to maximize the guys we have on the floor. I think we’ll get it back together and keep pushing forward.”
