Grizzlies continue 3-point shooting woes
Any missed shot at American Airlines Center echoes loud in the arena due to microphones behind the rims.
For the Grizzlies, the echoes and clangs made for some ugly music. The Dallas Mavericks, however, had a sweeter tune of fastbreak layups and 3-pointers.
The Grizzlies' fifth game in seven days ended in a 102-92 road loss that felt much larger. A 30-point fourth quarter made up for a lethargic performance against the Mavericks, playing their first game in eight days.
For the first time since January 2020, they failed to score 100 points in consecutive games.
No luck from long distance
Over the last three games, the Grizzlies (13-14) have made just 16 3-pointers.
They shot just 6-for-31 on Monday and it kept them from mounting a serious rally as Dallas made 15 3-pointers.
The Grizzlies trailed the entire game and couldn't make up ground until it was too late. Ja Morant led the way with 22 points and nine assists. Rookie guard Desmond Bane, who played at TCU 35 miles away, had 12 points. Tyus Jones (10 points, four assists) had his best game in several games. Justise Winslow, however, continued his slow start working his way back in his second game.
He was 1-for-10 with three points and three rebounds..
Grizzlies defense struggles
Entering Monday, the Grizzlies were 26th in defensive efficiency, 28th in 3point defense, and 29th in fastbreak defense.
It was a bad recipe.
So what happened? The Mavericks (14-15) feasted.
They attacked the basket and shot 59.4% in the paint.
They attacked on fastbreak opportunities with 24 points. The bench poured it on led by Tim Hardaway Jr. (29 points) and Jalen Brunson (19 points).
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said defending 3-pointers was a priority Monday but the Mavericks shot 44% in the first half. It wasn't as bad Grizzlies giving up 24 3-pointers to the Phoenix Suns two days ago but it wasn't much better.
Fatigue likely a factor
As much as fans and players hate using that as an explanation, there was enough evidence to support it against the Mavericks, starting with the Grizzlies scoring just 36 first-half points.
They had just two fastbreak points and eight second chance points.
The Mavericks didn't give the Grizzlies many good looks on 3-pointers but poor shooting is also a result of tired legs.
Jenkins wouldn't use fatigue as an excuse but he said the Grizzlies needed to freshen up and regroup.
The Grizzlies will play 40 games in the second half of the season so this was another good test how to handle a compressed slate of games.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will have two days off before hosting the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday (7 p.m., Fox Sports Southeast). The teams will also play Friday in the Grizzlies' final back-to-back series of the first half.