Hoops Habit
Fansided

Memphis Grizzlies: Top 10 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Jake Peterson

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Justin Holiday #7 hi-fives Bruno Caboclo #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Justin Holiday #7 hi-fives Bruno Caboclo #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 11
Next
NBA Power Rankings
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. JV beats the Rockets

Acquired at the trade deadline, Jonas Valanciunas was seen as a quality veteran center (despite being younger than “young asset” Delon Wright) who was coming off of a hand injury. He hadn’t played in months and took a few games to get acclimated in Memphis.

And oh boy, did he catch up in a hurry.

Valanciunas wasted no times putting in work in Memphis, putting up 18.6 points and 9.6 rebounds through the month of February. His real coming-out party happened in March though.

The Lithuanian big man proved to be a great partner Mike Conley, filling the shoes of departed center Marc Gasol in a big way. JV scored 20 or more points eight out of the next 14 games before being sidelined with an injury.

His biggest game was on March 20 against James Harden and the Rockets. Harden was in the midst of his supernova play and he dropped 57 points on the Grizzlies. JV was no slouch himself, putting up 33 points to go along with 15 rebounds. His last two points were key, as his free throws in overtime helped send the Rockets home empty-handed.

Home/Memphis Grizzlies