The Memphis Grizzlies are flying!
They extend their league-best win streak to 10 games after taking out the Golden State Warriors at FedEx Forum, 116-108.
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Ja Morant led all scorers with 29 points, eight assists and five rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded his second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie Ziaire Williams added 17 points as the Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 29-18 in the fourth quarter, earning their second win in three games against the Dubs this season.
With the win, they are now tied for third in the Western Conference standings and just 3.0 games back of the No. 1 seed.
Let’s dive into some of the key numbers behind their hot streak.
10: A franchise first
The Grizzlies’ 10-game streak is the longest in franchise history, two clear of their previous best of eight, which came in 2015 by the Grit and Grind Grizzlies.
They haven’t just been beating up on bad teams either, they’ve shaken up the Western Conference standings with key wins over contending teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers (twice), as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers.
MORE: Morant’s game-winner lifts Grizzlies past Suns
Overall, the Grizzlies have won 20 of their past 24 games.
Their next games come in a home back-to-back against the Timberwolves, who have won four of their past five, followed by a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, who have won six straight.
1: Crashing the glass
The Grizzlies have been the best rebounding teams all season and during the streak, they’ve kicked it up a gear, punishing teams on both the offensive and defensive glass.
They lead the league in rebounds per game (52.3), offensive rebounds (15.3) and second-chance points (20.7), and sit second in rebound percentage (52.6), outhustling teams on a nightly basis.
Big man Steven Adams leads the team, averaging 9.4 boards a night, but they’re doing it by committee, with seven different players averaging at least 4.0 rebounds per game in Morant, Jackson, Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson, Brandon Clarke and John Konchar.
4: Locking it up
Through their 10 game stretch, the Grizzlies have the fourth-ranked defense in the league, giving up just 104.8 points per 100 possessions, behind only the Warriors, Celtics and Mavericks in that span.
This season, they’ve leaned on the defensive end, especially in the stretch of games Morant missed and they lead the league in steals (10.2) and blocks (6.3) on the season.
Ja for MVP?
When you say it out loud, it sounds crazy, but the Grizzlies point guard is giving big 2011 Derrick Rose vibes.
MORE: Where does Morant rank among best point guards?
Ja Morant scored 15 points in the 1st quarter tonight. He also scored 18 points in the 3rd quarter against the Warriors on October 28th. No other player has multiple 15-point quarters against the Warriors this season. pic.twitter.com/luvEtgDewc
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 12, 2022
During the Grizzlies run, he’s looked like the best player in the league, being named Western Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks, averaging 29.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists on 53 percent shooting from the field and 53 percent shooting from the 3-point line.
During the streak, the Grizzlies also lead the league in points in the paint (62.2), with Morant second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo in points in the paint in that span at (17.6), while leading the league fastbreak points per game (5.8).