Grizzlies’ road trip success shows growth at right time

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was brief following Friday’s overtime loss to the New York Knicks. But in brevity, there was praise.

“We did a lot of great things on this road trip, we’re playing great basketball right now,” Jenkins said. “Didn’t get the result we wanted. Just got to make a few more free throws, it changed the game.”

The Grizzlies (26-24) could only look blame themselves after 13 missed free throws. But after going 3-1 against four Eastern Conference playoff contenders, the Grizzlies will find more positives than negatives.

They embraced shooting more 3pointers and shot over 40% in all four games. Different starters stepped up whether it was Dillon Brooks’ 23-point quarter or Grayson Allen scoring 30 points against the Atlanta Hawks.

Before the road trip, they were ninth in the Western Conference. Now they’re eighth with a two-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs, who’ve lost five consecutive games

The 3-point shooting was the biggest revelation. They made 64 despite the team’s leading shooter De’anthony Melton sidelined for three games due to injury. In five games this month, the Grizzlies are 83-for-188 (44.1%) while also leading the NBA in offensive efficiency

Is it sustainable? Probably not. But it’s kept their offense more balanced than at any point this season and it’ll only get better once Melton is healthy and Jaren Jackson Jr. returns at the end of month.

As for balance? Brooks showed on the road trip how reliable he’s become lately. Brooks struggled earlier this season but in his last 10 games, he’s shooting 51.1% from the field and 43.4% on 3-pointers in the same span.

If the Grizzlies are to reach the playoffs, they’ll need Brooks to play at the level he’s shown during this road trip. He makes a difference with his confidence but he’s also shown better decision turning down bad shots for good ones.

At the same time, losing to the Knicks was a reminder to the Grizzlies. Since March, they’re 1-5 in games decided by five points or less.

Missed free throws are a concern but as Kyle Anderson noted, it’s a concern best addressed from experience as much as practice.

“As a young team, you want to be in close games as much as you can before the playoffs come, especially around this time,” Anderson said.

The Grizzlies will have more to

come. Eleven of their 12 remaining games this month are against playoff contenders. They'll need this same confidence for their seven-game road trip starting April 16.

But the NBA'S youngest team gained more than they lost on this four-game trek and it will serve them well keeping up their fight for a playoff spot.

CHRIS SZAGOLA/AP Philadelphia 76ers' Tobias Harris, left, makes his move against Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks, right, during the first half of a game on April 4 in Philadelphia.