GRIZZLIES’ SCORING SURGE: FROM WORST TO FIRST
Last season, the Grizzlies finished 13th in the West, averaging a league-low 105.8 points per game.
This season? They lead the NBA in scoring (122.1 ppg) and boast a 17-8 record, tied for second in the West after winning nine of their last 10.
Historic Turnaround: No NBA team has ever gone from the lowest-scoring offense to the highest-scoring offense from one season to the next.
Memphis’ +16.3 ppg increase would be the greatest one-year jump since 1954-55 — the first season with a shot clock.
Historic Pace: The Grizzlies have already scored 140+ points twice this season, tying their single-season franchise record. They’ve also never led the league in scoring over an entire season.
The Key: Ranking third in rebounding (47.6) and second in pace (104.64), Memphis thrives in the open floor, leading the NBA with 36.8 transition ppg — 5+ more than the next closest team and 10+ beyond the third.
Its Engine? Ja Morant. After missing 73 games last season, Morant has reignited Memphis’ early offense, averaging 7.4 transition ppg, second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Ja Effect: With Morant pushing the tempo, the Grizzlies are getting better looks, ranking third in wide-open FGA (26.0) and second in assists (30.3), fueled by Morant’s career-high 8.5 dimes per game.
Another Result? Balanced scoring. Seven Grizzlies have hit double figures in 12 games this season, while no other team has more than five such games.
Controlling the Paint: In the half-court, Memphis gets inside with Morant’s athleticism and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s strength, leading to an NBA-best 58.9 points in the paint per game.
Thunder & Lightning: Jackson Jr. (11.3) and Morant (11.1) are one of only three duos in the league each averaging over 11 points in the paint this season.
Pick Your Poison: Stop Morant’s acrobatics at the rim (see his jaw-dropping 360 layup above), and you still have to slow down his connection with Jackson Jr.
The Grizzlies have scored 115+ points in 10 straight games, tied for the third-longest streak in franchise history.
But the Nets have limited them to just 105.0 ppg in their two meetings this year, leading to two Brooklyn wins.
Tonight, the two sides will square off for a third and final time this season (8 PM ET) as part of a seven-game slate on League Pass.