By Josh CohenOct. 23, 2015
The Grizzlies protect their identity better than any other team in the league. They are a stifling defensive team and force opponents to play in the mud. They are limiting opponents to a remarkably low 80.2 points per game this preseason (next lowest is 89.1 by the Hornets). Memphis ranked second in the NBA last season in opponent scoring (95.1). Watch Marc Gasol force the Hawks into a turnover.
Tony Allen is nicknamed the grind-father for good reason. He was one of only three players in the league last season that limited his opponents to less than 38 percent shooting from the field with at minimum 60 games played (C.J. McCollum and O.J. Mayo are other two). Allen’s opponents shot nearly seven percent worse from the field than their season averages. Watch Allen sneak up on Richard Jefferson, come up with the steal and lay it in.
For as good of a defensive team as they are, the Grizzlies can look abysmal offensively at times. They rank 28th in the league in points per game (91.0) this preseason and rank last in 3-pointers attempted (17.5 per game). Memphis is also fourth worst in team assists per game (18.7). WATCH:
While they are a terrific half-court defensive team, the Grizzlies do not excel preventing transition points. They rank 25th in the league in limiting fast break points (16.0 per game) this preseason (19th last season). Watch Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon connect in transition against Memphis last season:
Like Nikola Vucevic, Gasol is a versatile offensive player. Last season he ranked third in the league in post-up scoring, fourth in pick-and-roll scoring and was in the top 25 in scoring when cutting to the basket. Gasol is shooting 54 percent on shot attempts between 15 and 19 feet from the basket this preseason. Watch Gasol face up on Al Horford and bury the fadeaway jumper:
