Memphis Grizzlies: Buy Or Sell Early-Season Statistics
By Tom Firme
Team Defensive Rating
Sell.
The Grizzlies’ defensive rating stands at 106 points allowed per 100 possessions and ranks 20th in the league.
That’s a discouraging figure for a team that sets defense as its foundation and finished in the top nine in this category for five straight years. But only five players are allowing more than 106 per 100, fewer than the crowd of lethargic defenders two weeks ago.
More from Memphis Grizzlies
- NBA Trades: Memphis bolsters their roster in this deal with Toronto
- 3 ways acquiring Marcus Smart will improve the Memphis Grizzlies
- Ranking the 10 championship-less NBA teams by closeness to title
- 4 Memphis Grizzlies who must step up in Ja Morant’s absence
- NBA Rumors: Is a season-long suspension for Ja Morant on the table?
The Grizzlies have put themselves back together on that end. After allowing 109.1 per 100 through 12 games, Memphis held opponents to 94.4 per 100 for the next four contests.
Recently, the Grizzlies have recommitted themselves to locking down at every position.
That doesn’t mean the Grizzlies are completely recovered from the poor defensive start. They allowed 123.5 per 100 in the 116-101 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday as the Hawks drained 14 three-pointers and went 32-of-36 at the free-throw line.
Still, the Grizzlies’ defense is coming around. Unlike most of the first 12 games in which Tony Allen was the only player giving a consistent effort, more guys are grinding it out. Matt Barnes and Marc Gasol are defending with much more energy than they did for most of the first three weeks of the season.
Having Mario Chalmers helps boost the intensity of the second unit on that end.
Next: Any More Threes to Come?