What's wrong with Grizzlies' 3-point defense?
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins warned in his pregame media availability to not let the Dallas Mavericks get comfortable shooting 3-pointers.
The Grizzlies were able to hold the Mavericks to 36.6% 3-point shooting, but it was a 44% performance in the first half that told the story in Monday's 102-92 road loss.
"We did a decent job but we need to be better running guys off the line and defending the 3-point line," Grizzlies rookie guard Desmond Bane said.
It's been a bigger problem in February. As the Grizzlies fell to 5-8 this month, they're one of the league's worst teams defending the perimeter. It hit rock bottom Saturday allowing the Phoenix Suns to make a franchise-record 24 3-pointers.
In fairness, the Grizzlies (13-14) were down four rotation players. Sean Mcdermott played a career-high 21 minutes and was promptly assigned to the G-league on Sunday. But the numbers reveal a team far from its defensive peak to start this month.
They're second-to-last in 3-point defense (41.7%) and 27th in 3-pointers allowed per game (15.5) in February. Per Nba.com's advanced stats, they've given up a league-worst 256 3-point attempts classified as wide-open, or when the closest defender is more than six feet away
Of those 256 shots, teams have made 107 against the Grizzlies, the most against any team in February. The Grizzlies also fell from 12th in 3-point defense on Feb. 1 to 27th after Monday.
"Our defense can't suffer when our offense is struggling," Jenkins said postgame.
For all the hope that came with the Grizzlies finally getting healthier, it hasn't changed they've regressed defensively. Teams have made them pay for poor rotations and it won't get easier Thursday.
The Los Angeles Clippers (22-10) arrive for a back-to-back series as the NBA'S best 3-point shooting team at 42%. They've also shot a league-best 42.9% this month.
Maybe Paul George and Kawhi Leonard won't play both games. That might be the only reprieve before facing the Washington Wizards and Houston Rockets — who are 27th and 28th in 3point shooting this month, respectively.
But the next two games could be a reminder how wide the gap is between the Grizzlies and the league's elite teams. After Monday, that gap is even smaller because the Grizzlies lack the defensive bite they had earlier this month.
"I don't know if it's career nights but (players) are coming in and knocking down shots for their team. I feel like we were just missing on the other end," guard Ja Morant said. "We got to learn, we'll get better, it takes time. As long as we stay positive and continue to play our basketball with our heads up out there fighting, we'll be good.