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The versatility of the Memphis Grizzlies will be challenged in their second postseason play-in game this season.
Memphis relied on a notable size advantage against a Golden State Warriors team that prides itself on playing small. Dallas is an entirely different makeup.
The Mavs have one of the NBA’s biggest frontcourts, featuring PJ Washington, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively. While that size may imposing to some teams, Memphis is one of the few frontcourt that can match it.
Memphis and Dallas will be playing a winner-take-all game on April 18 at FedExForum (8:30 p.m., ESPN). The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The Grizzlies won three of the four meetings this season, but throw those numbers out the window. Both teams played lineups on April 13 that featured players who aren't expected to have major roles this time. Injuries and trades have also drastically shifted roster makeup from the previous three meetings.
Here are some of the biggest keys heading into the play-in matchup.
The sample size is small due to Davis being acquired in February and injuries, but the Dallas frontcourt looks like one that is tough to score against. Sacramento managed only 40 paint points in its April 16 loss to Dallas after averaging 47.8 in the regular season.
Memphis emphasizes scoring in the paint as much as any team in the NBA. The Grizzlies finished second in the league with 55.1 paint points per game.
Lively is 7-foot-1, and Davis is listed at 6-10 with a 7-6 wingspan. In other words, scoring in the paint will be a challenge for shorter players like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Grizzlies guards will need to make jumpers, but Memphis can’t ignore its bread-and-butter against Dallas. It’s easier said than done, but Memphis will have to be productive on the inside.
One player on the Grizzlies stands out as someone who can match the Dallas frontcourt in size, strength and skill. Jaren Jackson Jr. is that guy.
Jackson can drive the ball into the chest of Davis, Lively or Daniel Gafford and find advantageous scoring opportunities.
The only problem is Jackson has struggled recently. He’s averaged less than 20 points per game in a month for the first time since October.
In Jackson’s last six regular-season games, he shot 40.4%. He was 6-for-15 against Golden State.
Memphis will need the best version of Jackson against Dallas.
MORE: Memphis Tigers basketball attendance no longer factor in FedExForum lease deal with Grizzlies
Dallas has a strong frontcourt, but the backcourt is not imposing. There’s no Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic, and Memphis must take advantage of that.
Defensively, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson are good. Both have size and sound defensive technique. However, there are sizable holes.
Marshall shot 27.5% on 3-pointers this season. Thompson, one of the NBA’s greatest shooters, made 39.1% of his 3-pointers, but he’s not known as a great creator.
The Grizzlies ranked 12th in the NBA in forced turnovers per game. Pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers is how Memphis can get out in transition and limit offensive opportunities against a set Mavs defense.
Memphis ranked eighth in the NBA in transition points, while Dallas finished 19th.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr.'s role is crucial vs Mavericks
Continue reading...
Memphis relied on a notable size advantage against a Golden State Warriors team that prides itself on playing small. Dallas is an entirely different makeup.
The Mavs have one of the NBA’s biggest frontcourts, featuring PJ Washington, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively. While that size may imposing to some teams, Memphis is one of the few frontcourt that can match it.
Memphis and Dallas will be playing a winner-take-all game on April 18 at FedExForum (8:30 p.m., ESPN). The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The Grizzlies won three of the four meetings this season, but throw those numbers out the window. Both teams played lineups on April 13 that featured players who aren't expected to have major roles this time. Injuries and trades have also drastically shifted roster makeup from the previous three meetings.
Here are some of the biggest keys heading into the play-in matchup.
Who owns the paint?
The sample size is small due to Davis being acquired in February and injuries, but the Dallas frontcourt looks like one that is tough to score against. Sacramento managed only 40 paint points in its April 16 loss to Dallas after averaging 47.8 in the regular season.
Memphis emphasizes scoring in the paint as much as any team in the NBA. The Grizzlies finished second in the league with 55.1 paint points per game.
Lively is 7-foot-1, and Davis is listed at 6-10 with a 7-6 wingspan. In other words, scoring in the paint will be a challenge for shorter players like Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Grizzlies guards will need to make jumpers, but Memphis can’t ignore its bread-and-butter against Dallas. It’s easier said than done, but Memphis will have to be productive on the inside.
Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s importance
One player on the Grizzlies stands out as someone who can match the Dallas frontcourt in size, strength and skill. Jaren Jackson Jr. is that guy.
Jackson can drive the ball into the chest of Davis, Lively or Daniel Gafford and find advantageous scoring opportunities.
The only problem is Jackson has struggled recently. He’s averaged less than 20 points per game in a month for the first time since October.
In Jackson’s last six regular-season games, he shot 40.4%. He was 6-for-15 against Golden State.
Memphis will need the best version of Jackson against Dallas.
MORE: Memphis Tigers basketball attendance no longer factor in FedExForum lease deal with Grizzlies
Forcing the issue
Dallas has a strong frontcourt, but the backcourt is not imposing. There’s no Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic, and Memphis must take advantage of that.
Defensively, Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson are good. Both have size and sound defensive technique. However, there are sizable holes.
Marshall shot 27.5% on 3-pointers this season. Thompson, one of the NBA’s greatest shooters, made 39.1% of his 3-pointers, but he’s not known as a great creator.
The Grizzlies ranked 12th in the NBA in forced turnovers per game. Pressuring the ball and forcing turnovers is how Memphis can get out in transition and limit offensive opportunities against a set Mavs defense.
Memphis ranked eighth in the NBA in transition points, while Dallas finished 19th.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr.'s role is crucial vs Mavericks
Continue reading...
