Memphis Grizzlies: Buy Or Sell Early-Season Statistics
By Tom Firme
Team free-throw shooting
Buy.
The Grizzlies are the best free-throw shooting team in the NBA at 83.9 percent, a remarkable 2.9 percent better than the second-place New York Knicks. Memphis is getting to the charity stripe often, ranked sixth with a 31.3 percent free-throw rate.
Nine Grizzlies players are hitting 80 percent from the line. That includes every active rotation player except Tony Allen.
Jeff Green might be erratic from the field, but he’s automatic at the line. He fourth at 92 percent this year and is 79.4 percent for his career. Gasol, who has carved a place as one of the most reliable at the line among big men, has made 86.2 percent. He had a franchise-record streak of 36 made in a row, which ended Wednesday.
Mike Conley, who has hit 84.1 percent from the charity stripe the past five years, is 19th in the league at 87.7 percent. Mario Chalmers, who has drained 86.3 percent since Memphis acquired him on Nov. 10 from the Miami Heat, is 20th with 87.5 percent overall.
This fabulous start is expected from a team that has placed 13th or better three of the previous four years. The Grizzlies will continue to stand among the best at the free-throw line.
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