Buckets

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2023 is your best year yet!

The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off the New Year at home with the Kings, a team they have had success against over the last 3 seasons, going 7-4. This year the series was split 1-1 with both road teams winning a game in the other’s building. After a slow start the Grizzlies started finding their stride, particularly on defense blocking 7 shots in the first half, including 3 from the Block Panther Jaren Jackson, Jr himself! The Grizzlies got their first lead at 18-16 on a monster dunk by Ja off the Tyus Jones lob where his head was above the rim! Speaking of Stones, Tyus came in hot in the second quarter hitting triples on back to back possessions, scoring 15 in the first half and finishing with 18 on the night to go along with 10 assists and no turnovers. Stones ended 5-7 from beyond the arc en route to being named the International Paper player of the game. Jaren’s presence was tough for the Kings to deal with all night long. Possession after possession the Kings got nervous in the paint whenever Jaren would loom nearby, often throwing a pass away or trying to make one extra pass to avoid a big block.

The Kings hung around however and took a late lead in the first half that was quickly negated by a Ja triple from the top of the key. Domantas Sabonis had a double double before the half for the Kings, his 13th in a row but the Grizz clung to a 1 point lead at the break. The Kings were able to hang around thanks in large part to 12 offensive rebounds and 9 Memphis turnovers.

The second half opened with some questionable officiating to say the least, leading to Ja’s 3rd foul and an irritated Coach Jenkins. The atmosphere changed in the Forum to one of tension and frustration with the officiating crew. The Kings built a small lead that was quickly undone as the Grizz found new energy from the loud home crowd. Ja continued with his attacking, including a ridiculous clutch reverse layup mid way through the third, finishing with 35 points. Ja has owned the third quarter this year coming in averaging 13.7 points and had 12 tonight. Ja was facilitating as well, hitting a streaking John Konchar for a reverse lay up on a fast break you’ll have to see to believe! https://twitter.com/GrizzOnBally/status/1609742740601831425 (credit @GrizzonBally for the video)

The questionable officiating continued in the third frame missing an obvious out of bounds call and further inciting the hostile home crowd. The energy was obviously felt by the Grizz as they increased their lead through stifling defense and running the floor with ease, entering the final frame with a 4 point lead. The Grizzlies quickly built on that via 20 offensive rebounds and 15 second chance points. Steven Adams shined with his second straight 20+ rebound night as he finished with yet another double double at 11 points 23 boards, tying his career high, and dominated the Kings in the paint. He set a career high in offensive rebounds with 13 and was an absolute bully in the paint. Extending Steven Adams in the previous offseason was one of the best moves this talented front office made. He has been a difference maker and opens this team up so much, through tap out rebounds, put backs, and aggressive defense of the basket. He is averaging 10.6 rebounds per night this year, over 14 in his last 5 games. He also set a franchise record with 44 rebounds over a 2 game span and is the first Grizzly with back to back 20+ rebound games.

Ja absolutely shredded the Kings on offense, getting whatever lane he wanted for acrobatic finishes leading to a 118-108 victory. Ja was incredible, once again, and his status as a superstar only grows. MVP chants broke out late in the game and the hype grows. After the game he signed his brand new, unreleased Ja 1’s and gave them to a young fan courtside with a “Ready to Jam out in my Ja 1’s” sign. The kid was in tears as Ja proved he is an MVP on and off the court. Ja was feeling it tonight, finishing with his fourth 30+ game in his last 6. This is quite an era for the boys on Beale Street and the greatness has just began. Ja is young, this core is hungry, and the Grizz are bouncing back. Ja said after the game that the team still isn’t satisfied and aren’t where they could be. All the stress of that tough 1-4 road trip seem far in the rearview mirror, but it has to continue. They have to stay aggressive as the schedule only gets harder from here. This is fun basketball, this is Grizzlies basketball. Buckle up, it could be a wild ride.

The Grizzlies play again in Charlotte on Wednesday night at 7 pm eastern.