<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-taylor-jenkins-responds-lebron-james-3-point-criticisms-unique-take');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins responds to LeBron James’ 3-point criticisms with unique take');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Taylor-Jenkins-responds-to-LeBron-James-3-point-criticisms-with-unique-take.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins responds to LeBron James’ 3-point criticisms with unique take</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-23T17:29:21-08:00">December 23rd, 5:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-23T17:29:21-08:00">December 23rd, 5:29pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Fans and media personalities have spent too many hours trying to pinpoint exactly why NBA television broadcast ratings are declining. Even stars on the level of <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-lebron-james-complains-about-3s-in-nba">LeBron James have shared varying opinions</a> on playstyles, criticisms of the All-Star Game format, and how to fix the game. However, Taylor Jenkins and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-rubs-salt-warriors-wound-savage-admission">Ja Morant’s extremely salty Memphis Grizzlies</a> are fine going with the flow according to the head coach. Some trends are merely fads, the rest need to become a strength. <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1869892222964900139" rel="noopener">It’s just simple math</a> Jenkins told ClutchPoints.</p><p>“I think that every year I’ve been in this position you’re studying trends and seeing where the league is going,” Jenkins said. “Obviously, it’s a math equation. You’re trying to put more numbers on the board than your opponent. With the advent of the three-point line and this barrage over the last decade-plus, I think the way guys are creating whether it’s off of drive penetration, pick and roll plays, isolation, it’s off the dribble not just catch and shoot, it comes down to the math.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Talking with Taylor Jenkins about NBA trends and LeBron’s comments on 3s before Steph Curry’s new look Warriors visit the Grizzlies:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DubNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DubNation</a>  <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrindCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GrindCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/hZplaylCY9">pic.twitter.com/hZplaylCY9</a></p><p>— Dodson (@DoingItDodson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1869892222964900139?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The math has been adding up to victories for the Grizzlies (20-9) lately. Memphis has won 12 of their last 14 games despite being <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/traditional?dir=A&amp;sort=FG3A" rel="noopener">12th overall in three-pointers attempted.</a> Traditional standards like getting into the paint, drawing fouls, and winning the rebounding battle have been blending into a recipe for success in the NBA’s new era. That is why, regardless of how LeBron James feels, Jenkins does not plan on changing much over the next 50 games.</p><p>“It’s been a strength of ours, playing in the paint but we know we’ve got to have balance from the three-point line,” admitted Jenkins. “So I’m not saying just don’t take threes or only take threes. We are going to see what the defense gives us.”</p><p>Opponents have been giving up buckets in bundles when facing the new-look Grizzlies. Memphis is zigging into confounding off-ball actions while the NBA zags into more plain-looking pick and rolls. Give Jenkins credit for having the confidence to make drastic changes after last season.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LeBron-James-Marcus-Smart-Grizzlies-Lakers.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“Obviously with our change in philosophy this year with less pick and roll and more cutting and movement with some off-ball actions,” began Jenkins, “that was just an opportunity for us to find more competitive advantages with different ways to open up the paint and open up the three-point line for better shot quality which we struggled with (in previous seasons). Everyone is going to go about their different ways. Everyone is going to have their comments on what the trend is but I don’t think the three-point line is going anywhere.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins responds to LeBron James’ 3-point criticisms with unique take

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/clippers-vs-grizzlies-predictions-odds-pick-12-23-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Clippers vs. Grizzlies predictions, odds, pick – 12/23/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Clippers-vs-Grizzlies-prediction.jpg"></figure><h1>Clippers vs. Grizzlies predictions, odds, pick – 12/23/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T19:45:05-08:00">December 22nd, 7:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T19:45:05-08:00">December 22nd, 7:45pm</time><address><a>Cameron Zunkel</a>Cameron Zunkel is a former college athlete for the University of Illinois, Springfield. During that time, he earned his masters degree in Communication. After graduating in 2022, Cameron signed to play independent professional baseball with the Joliet Slammers, but his time was cut short due to injury. Nonetheless, his love for baseball and all sports never faded.Cameron loves the sports media and sports journalism side of things and does some light writing for a Chicago Cubs blog, as well. To go along with that, he loves sports betting and fantasy sports. He also loves digging on the research and creating content for both sports betting and fantasy sports!</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Clippers are on the road to take on the Memphis Grizzlies Monday night. Below we will continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Clippers-Grizzlies prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Clippers-Grizzlies <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Clippers-Grizzlies Odds</b></h2><p>Los Angeles Clippers: +5.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +180</p><p>Memphis Grizzlies: -5.5 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -215</p><p>Over: 231 (-110)</p><p>Under: 231 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Clippers-Grizzlies</b></h2><p>Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT</p><p>TV: FanDuel Sports Network SoCal, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Clippers Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Clippers are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, and they are going to need to show it Monday night. Los Angeles allows just 106.9 points per game, which is fifth-lowest in the league. Along with that, the Clippers allow teams to shoot just 46.2 percent from the field, and 34.2 percent from beyond the arc. Their three-point percentage allowed is the fifth-lowest in the NBA. The Clippers do not have an easy matchup Monday night, but if they can keep up their defensive pressure, they will be able to cover this spread.</p><p>The Grizzlies are very average defensively this season. They have allowed 112.9 points per game, which is not bad, but it is not great, either. Along with that, the Grizzlies play at one of the fastest paces in the NBA. They are going to allow teams to shoot the ball plenty of times, and they allow the sixth-most offensive rebounds. The Clippers have to be hit their shots when they are given Monday night.</p><p>Los Angeles is led by Norman Powell and James Harden. With <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/clippers-news-kawhi-leonard-returns-practice-ramp-up-return-continues">Kawhi Leonard still out</a>, the Clippers will need these two players to continue having good games. Powell and Harden combine to score 46.0 points per game, and double digit rebounds and assists. Harden will collect more steals and rebounds, but the Clippers will need both players to contribute. If these two can play well, the Clippers will win the game.</p><h2><b>Why the Grizzlies Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Grizzlies have been playing some good basketball lately. They are 20-9, and they have won eight of their last 10 games. In those 10 games, the Grizzlies are averaging 127.1 points per game. That number would be the most in the NBA by a long shot. In fact, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-stephen-curry-makes-striking-admission-after-51-point-embarrassment-vs-grizzlies">Grizzlies were able to beat the Golden State Warriors by 51 points</a> in one of those games. Memphis is also shooting 49.5 percent from the floor, and 39.8 percent from beyond the arc in that span. With the way the Grizzlies are playing lately, it would not be surprising to see them put up a big number Monday night.</p><p>Los Angeles is a good defensive team, but the Grizzlies are extremely hard to stop. As mentioned, they are going off offensively lately. However, that is not shocking as they have been one of the best all season. Memphis leads the NBA with 123.1 points per game, and they are fourth in field goal percentage. The Grizzlies also hit 37.0 percent of their threes on the season. Memphis is one of the hardest teams to slow down offensively, and the Clippers are going to have some trouble. If the Grizzlies can keep scoring as they have been, they are going to cover the spread.</p><h2><b>Final Clippers-Grizzlies Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>The Grizzlies are just too good shooting the ball right now. I will be taking them to win, and cover the spread at home Monday night.</p><p><b>Final Clippers-Grizzlies Prediction &amp; Pick: Grizzlies -5.5 (-110)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Clippers vs. Grizzlies predictions, odds, pick – 12/23/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-scotty-pippen-jr-drops-star-take-ja-morant-backup');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Scotty Pippen Jr. drops ‘star’ take on being Ja Morant’s backup');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Scotty-Pippen-Jr.-drops-star-take-on-being-Ja-Morants-backup.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Scotty Pippen Jr. drops ‘star’ take on being Ja Morant’s backup</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-22T10:26:59-08:00">December 22nd, 10:26am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-22T10:26:59-08:00">December 22nd, 10:26am</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA is a star-driven league, of that there is no doubt. Not since the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons has a team won a title without having multiple All-NBA talents on the roster. However, the road to the NBA Finals requires a proper supporting cast ready to step up when an All-Star is sidelined. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-great-value-trio-nba-sixth-man-of-the-year-candidates-jake-laravia-scotty-pippen-jr-santi-aldama">Memphis Grizzlies have a trio of NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidates</a> but only one, Scotty Pippen Jr., has been directly responsible for picking up the slack when Ja Morant sits.</p><p>Taylor Jenkins and the<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-jaren-jackson-jr-speak-new-minute-allocations-taylor-jenkins-zach-edey"> second-placed Grizzlies (20-9) have been rewarded</a> for trusting the developmental process. Pippen Jr. has been putting the league on notice all season, earning a full four-year, $9.6 million deal along the way. The days of dealing with two-way contract G-League travel commitments are over for one of the best two-way reserves in the NBA.</p><p>Pippen Jr. told ClutchPoints that focusing on how to best contribute to wins with an eye towards the postseason run is now the priority.</p><p>“Coach emphasizes just always being ready,” Pippen Jr. replied. “Sometimes when Ja doesn’t play I might start or it’s me getting less minutes (when Morant does play). Whatever my role is, I’m trying to be a star in my role. I’ll be ready whenever my name is called.”</p><p>Morant (back soreness) watched Pippen Jr. post 22 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals in a 128-112 road win over the Atlanta Hawks. Arguably the most impressive stat was Dyson Daniels (six steals) only caused one turnover from Pippen Jr. directly.</p><h2><b>Grizzlies, Scotty Pippen Jr. pushing the pace</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Scotty-Pippen-Jr-Grizzlies-Dyson-Daniels-Hawks.jpg"><figcaption>Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Scotty Pippen Jr. (11 starts) has been ready all season. The 24-year-old is averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals/blocks per game (22.6 minutes). However, those <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1630590/traditional" rel="noopener">numbers are far better</a> when Pippen Jr. starts in place of Morant. His three-point percentage jumps almost 10 points between starting (40%) and coming off the bench (30.6%), for example. Pippen Jr.’s foul and turnover rate go down when starting games even though steals and blocks go up.</p><p>Finding a way to channel that opening tip aggressiveness even while backing up a healthy Ja Morant is the last step in becoming a truly scary contender. That has not been a problem collectively as Taylor Jenkins has the squad hitting a new gear going into the holiday season. With everyone’s roles well understood, Pippen Jr. and the Grizzlies have been racking up blowout wins over playoff-caliber competition.</p><p>Keeping the ball away from Dyson Daniels came 48 hours after the Grizzlies corralled Stephen Curry (0-7 FGA) and the Golden State Warriors in a 144-93 win. Pippen Jr. believes the Grizzlies have enough talent on the bench to <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1869959617519944073" rel="noopener">keep that revved-up energy</a> going all season long.</p><p>“We’re a super deep team so I feel like anyone on the court should be giving it their all,” stated Pippen Jr. “Even if we have a big lead we should be playing super hard and just keeping our foot on the gas. I feel like even when we are up by 20 (points) guys should be able to come in and keep that energy and build on (the lead).”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Scotty Pippen Jr. on playing Whoop That Trick in the FedEx Forum:</p><p>“Should have played it louder!”<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrindCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GrindCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/kCWOrTxt4B">pic.twitter.com/kCWOrTxt4B</a></p><p>— Dodson (@DoingItDodson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1869959617519944073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Road wins over the Hawks are just business trips. As for the fans celebrating to a Whoop That Trick soundtrack after dominating the Warriors?</p><p>“Should have played it a little bit louder,” Pippen Jr. joked.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Scotty Pippen Jr. drops ‘star’ take on being Ja Morant’s backup

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/is-trae-young-playing-vs-grizzlies-latest-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Trae Young playing vs. Grizzlies? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Is-Trae-Young-playing-vs.-Grizzlies-Latest-injury-update.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Is Trae Young playing vs. Grizzlies? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T10:02:55-08:00">December 21st, 10:02am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T10:02:55-08:00">December 21st, 10:02am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Atlanta Hawks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Atlanta Hawks (14-14) are gearing up for a four-game homestand, beginning with a challenging matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies (19-9) on Saturday night. The Hawks could be without their star guard, Trae Young, who is <a href="https://official.nba.com/nba-injury-report-2024-25-season/" rel="noopener">listed</a> as questionable due to a right heel contusion, according to the team’s latest injury report.</p><p>Young’s potential absence comes at a critical time for the Hawks, who are looking to bounce back after consecutive losses. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/what-hawks-nba-cup-run-proves-about-trade-strategy">Atlanta fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup semifinals</a> earlier this week before <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/hawks-news-deandre-hunter-savagely-posterizes-victor-wembanyama-to-force-ot">dropping a 133-126 overtime game to the San Antonio Spurs</a> on Thursday. Young delivered an impressive performance in the loss, recording 23 points, 16 assists, and three steals.</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Trae Young’s injury status vs. Grizzlies</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Trae-Young-11-dribbles-against-San-Antonio-Spurs-forward-Jeremy-Sochan-10.jpg"><figcaption>© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This season, Young has been the engine of the Hawks’ offense, averaging 21.6 points per game while leading the NBA in assists with 12.2 per game. He also contributes 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. However, his shooting efficiency has been below his usual standards, with career-low marks of 39% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.</p><p>Despite his early-season struggles, Young has shown signs of improvement in his last five games, averaging 25.2 points, 13.4 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 41.5% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.</p><p>The Hawks face a formidable challenge in the Grizzlies, who have been in exceptional form, winning 12 of their last 15 games. Memphis has built its success on a combination of strong defense and efficient scoring, making them one of the league’s top teams this season.</p><p>Atlanta’s ability to compete in this high-stakes matchup could hinge on Young’s availability. With the team looking to climb back above .500, the All-Star guard’s presence on the court would provide a significant boost. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, and further updates on Young’s status are expected as the team approaches game time.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Trae Young playing vs. Grizzlies? Latest injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-playing-hawks-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Ja Morant out vs. Hawks due to back injury concern');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Is-Ja-Morant-playing-vs.-Hawks-Latest-injury-update.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Ja Morant out vs. Hawks due to back injury concern</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-21T09:24:03-08:00">December 21st, 9:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-21T09:39:35-08:00">December 21st, 9:39am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-21_11AM.pdf" rel="noopener">was initially listed on</a> the NBA injury report for the team’s game on Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Morant is dealing with low back soreness as the Grizzlies prepare to play the Hawks in Atlanta. So is Morant playing tonight?</p><p>Morant was listed as doubtful, however, the Grizzlies star has been <a href="https://x.com/GrizzliesPR/status/1870512641786921261" rel="noopener">downgraded to out</a>, the team announced. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-rubs-salt-warriors-wound-savage-admission">Morant has played at an All-Star level</a> this season, but <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-playing-warriors-injury-update">injuries have been a concern for him</a>. The Grizzlies will attempt to defeat the Hawks despite Morant’s injury absence on Saturday.</p><p>The two-time All-Star is currently averaging 21.2 points per game on 44.9 percent field goal shooting. Morant is recording 8.1 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals per outing as well. He is one of the best guards in the league, and the Grizzlies will certainly miss his presence on the floor during Saturday night’s affair.</p><p>With that being said, Memphis has been able to remain competitive even when their best player is not available. The Grizzlies are 7-4 this season without Ja Morant. They are 12-5 when he is available, however. Nevertheless, the 7-4 record will give Grizzlies fans hope heading into the Hawks clash.</p><p>Overall, Memphis holds a strong 19-9 record, which is good for second place in the Western Conference. Atlanta, meanwhile, is seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 14-14 record. The Hawks are certainly capable of pulling off an upset at home, though.</p><p>The Grizzlies are looking to maintain their momentum following their convincing 144-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. It was an offensive explosion to say the least from the Grizzlies, so Memphis should have no shortage of confidence moving forward.</p><p>The Hawks were most recently defeated 133-126 by the San Antonio Spurs. Atlanta is hoping to bounce back as soon as possible.</p><p>Tip-off for the Grizzlies-Hawks game is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST on Saturday night as Memphis looks to earn a victory despite Ja Morant’s absence.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant out vs. Hawks due to back injury concern

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cam-johnson-marcus-smart-trade-grizzlies-nets');   ga('set', 'title', 'The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/The-Cam-Johnson-Marcus-Smart-trade-Grizzlies-must-make-with-Nets.jpg"></figure><h1>The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T14:29:26-08:00">December 20th, 2:29pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T14:29:26-08:00">December 20th, 2:29pm</time><address><a>Kris Pursiainen</a>Kris Pursiainen is an Associate Editor for all sports based in the NJ/NYC area. Kris brings several years of experience reporting on and writing about professional teams to the table. With experience all over the country as a New York Knicks, New York Jets, New York Mets, Super Bowl LVIII, and Big East beat reporter, Kris has been breaking news and reporting on the NBA, NFL, MLB, and college basketball landscapes for years. Kris is a proud graduate of Fordham University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Brooklyn Nets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Trading <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-warriors-serious-pursuit-dennis-schroder-trade-with-nets">Dennis Schröder to the Golden State Warriors</a> for an injured player, an undrafted rookie, and draft capital is a loud way to signal that you’re ready to sell what you’ve built for parts. The Brooklyn Nets are 11-16 and 5-14 against other Eastern Conference opponents.</p><p>The playoffs were certainly not a guarantee and the time has come to pursue productive losses in an effort to capture the (Cooper) Flagg. Dorian Finney-Smith’s contract is expiring with a player-option for next season. Contending teams will have interest. But he’s not the biggest prize available on this Nets’ roster.</p><p>I wrote about <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nets-cam-johnson-trade-2024-25-season">the extent to which Cam Johnson is shining on this Nets team</a> after their first 22 games. And said that they should trade him before the deadline – both because his value may never be higher and the team should be looking to lose. The trade proposed in that article landed Johnson on the Indiana Pacers in what was a consolidation of talent and draft capital.</p><p>The Pacers’ season has yet to turn around as the team is still only 13-15. Injuries are still dragging the team down. And Indiana may not be willing to part with draft capital to improve midseason in what might feel like a panic move.</p><p>But the Memphis Grizzlies are in a much different situation than the Pacers. The team has won eight of its last 10 games and has the only claim to the West’s second seed.</p><h2><b>The Nets’ Cam Johnson is the missing piece for the Memphis Grizzlies</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Cam-Johnson-Grizzlies-Nets_6908fa.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Grizzlies are 19-9 and look like the promising young team they were supposed to be. Last year’s 27-55 campaign was headlined by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-star-ja-morant-takes-accountability-after-eye-opening-therapy">lead star Ja Morant’s absence</a> but it’s clear that it’s in the past.</p><p>The team has the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/defense?dir=A&amp;sort=DEF_RATING" rel="noopener">fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA</a>. And that has made way for Morant to be <a href="https://dunksandthrees.com/player/1629630/historical" rel="noopener">on track to have the most impactful season of his career thus far</a> according to EPM, an advanced analytic utilized often by NBA personnel. Memphis has the assets and salaries to make a trade that can help them win in this season and in future campaigns. The right target just has to come along.</p><p>Johnson is signed through the 2026-27 season to a rate of approximately $21.8 million per season. His estimated offensive plus/minus this season has, somehow, increased. Johnson’s +3.6 O-EPM is in the NBA’s 95th percentile. My previous article referenced his +3.3 rating (94th percentile at the time) as being both a career-high and beyond impressive. Johnson has continued to out-do himself.</p><p>A <a href="https://x.com/OldManAndThree/status/1869803522151330273" rel="noopener">recent discussion</a> on The Young Man And the Three between Johnson and WNBA legend Sue Bird showed fans the perspective Johnson has gained over the course of his career. He has gone from being <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-cameron-johnson-thought-it-was-funny-when-he-first-saw-coby-whites-reaction-to-his-selection-in-nba-draft">viewed as a “reach” for the Phoenix Suns in the draft</a> to being part of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cam-johnson-proving-his-value-nets-key-piece-kevin-durant-trade">return for superstar Kevin Durant.</a></p><p>Johnson was thrust into a leadership role for the Nets this season after they traded Mikal Bridges to the other borough’s team. And he’s responded incredibly well, both on and off the court. He would likely fit smoothly into what Memphis is building. And help them elevate their offense to the next level.</p><p>The Grizzlies surrendered draft capital to acquire Marcus Smart from the Celtics in a deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, where he won a championship at the end of that season. Ouch.</p><p>Smart has been an important part of Memphis’ defense but has struggled mightily on the offensive side of the court. The Grizzlies have defensive stalwarts like Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, and Vince Williams Jr. as part of their core. The team can afford to utilize Smart in a deal that allows them to retain their core pieces such as Morant, Bane, Clarke, both Jaren and GG Jackson, and youngsters Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Scotty Pippen Jr.</p><h2><b>Marcus Smart can help the Brooklyn Nets on and off the court </b></h2><figure><img src="https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1301268587234726009/1319509914183532674/wdMUilwhMmcvQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg.png?ex=6766e19e&amp;is=6765901e&amp;hm=14427050e1cb898b32c4dc65fefae6b7acc53254a2a32a58382eae05a75632ff&amp;=&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=lossless&amp;width=2192&amp;height=966"></figure><p>The Grizzlies declined Jake LaRavia’s team option for next season, rendering him an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year. The Nets traded for a castaway Memphis wing this past offseason with plans to give them opportunity, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grading-nets-grizzlies-ziaire-williams-trade">having just done so with Ziaire Williams</a>.</p><p>But the real return for Brooklyn is the Grizzlies’ 2025 first-round pick, currently the 27th pick in that draft, and their 2027 first-round pick protected from picks 1-10. The 2027 pick would convert to Memphis’ 2030 and 2031 second-round draft selections if it did not convey in 2027.</p><p>And having Smart under contract through next season, when he becomes an expiring contract worth about $21.5 million, could prove to be incredibly valuable. Brooklyn attempts to capitalize on Johnson’s shining start to the season by acquiring future draft capital and opening up playing time for talent they want to evaluate.</p><p>They also give up Keon Johnson, who has a team option for next season at about $2.4 million, to make the money work. Memphis can figure out what to do with him later.</p><p>Johnson would immediately replace the 22.9 minutes per game that LaRavia has played this season and more. There are not any Grizzlies averaging 30 minutes per game or more thus far, indicative of head coach Taylor Jenkins’ style, the depth on the team, and the injuries they’ve dealt with thus far. But once players such as Williams Jr. and Jackson II return from injury, the team will have all of the pieces it needs to try and make it out of the Western Conference.</p><p>The Grizzlies may be wary of trading Smart so soon after acquiring him to be part of their core. Smart fits what the team has built very well. But Johnson, and his efficient floor-spacing contributions, represent the level of team the Grizzlies could ascend to.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

The Cam Johnson-Marcus Smart trade Grizzlies must make with Nets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-rubs-salt-warriors-wound-savage-admission');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Ja Morant rubs salt into Warriors’ wound with savage admission');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ja-Morant-rubs-salt-into-Warriors-wound-with-savage-admission.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Ja Morant rubs salt into Warriors’ wound with savage admission</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-20T00:10:45-08:00">December 20th, 12:10am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-20T00:10:54-08:00">December 20th, 12:10am</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Golden State Warriors</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Memphis Grizzlies (19-9) continue to demonstrate why the FedExForum is one of the most difficult places for visiting teams to play in, as they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-stephen-curry-makes-striking-admission-after-51-point-embarrassment-vs-grizzlies">dismantled the Golden State Warriors</a> on Thursday, 144-93. Ja Morant exited in the second half after landing hard on his back and played just 17 minutes, but domination ensued anyway.</p><p>Memphis sunk a franchise-record 27 3-pointers and enjoyed a lopsided advantage in fast break points (22-4), rebounds (60-36) and assists (38-20). The Warriors did not belong on the same court as the Grizzlies on this night. Morant relished being part of the shellacking, but he <a href="https://x.com/grindcitymedia/status/1869958470986018897" rel="noopener">also took great pleasure in watching</a> it from the bench.</p><p>“For me, when I was out there, it was very fun,” the star point guard said, via Grind City media. “When I wasn’t, it was even funner.”</p><p>If this team is going to make a deep run, Morant will have to be the catalyst. He is “The Guy” on Memphis and one of the most dynamic players in the game today. Though, it is always encouraging to see what the whole squad can accomplish. The West cannot be won without a balanced roster. The Grizzlies are flashing the necessary star power and depth it takes to complete such a conquest.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"for me, when i was out there, it was very fun. when i wasn't, it was even funner." 🤣</p><p>ja morant speaks on the dominant 48 minutes from the grizzlies over the warriors<a href="https://twitter.com/MyMikeCheck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MyMikeCheck</a> <a href="https://t.co/st4EDZ3unU">pic.twitter.com/st4EDZ3unU</a></p><p>— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/grindcitymedia/status/1869958470986018897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Everybody gets to eat in Grizzlies’ win</b></h2><p>Santi Aldama scored a game-high 21 points off the bench, knocked down five 3-pointers, snagged 14 boards and recorded two steals. Jake LaRavia added 19 points and four triples. When the supporting cast excels, this group looks like a terrifying beast. The Warriors were utterly devoured, as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-stephen-curry-career-low-point-stunning-blowout-grizzlies">Stephen Curry failed to make</a> any of his seven shot attempts. Morant left his mark on Golden State as well, even in an abbreviated outing.</p><p>The two-time All-Star collected nine points, three assists, two blocks and two swipes in the blowout win. He was<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-playing-warriors-injury-update"> questionable with low back soreness</a> before the matchup, so his exit could obviously exacerbate his discomfort. It is unclear if Morant would have checked back into the game if the score was closer, but considering he missed more than a handful of games after taking a hard fall earlier in the year, his status is definitely worth monitoring.</p><p>Any pain Ja Morant is feeling should be somewhat alleviated by the drubbing he and his teammates unleashed on the Warriors. The second-place Grizzlies aim to continue their ascent up the Western Conference when they square off with the Atlanta Hawks (14-14) in State Farm Arena on Saturday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant rubs salt into Warriors’ wound with savage admission

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-zach-lavine-3-team-deal-bulls');   ga('set', 'title', 'Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Nuggets-trade-proposal-lands-Zach-LaVine-in-3-team-deal-with-Bulls.jpg"></figure><h1>Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T19:28:11-08:00">December 19th, 7:28pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T19:28:11-08:00">December 19th, 7:28pm</time><address><a>Bobby Krivitsky</a>Bobby Krivitsky has covered the NBA for nearly a decade, working for Bleacher Report, Basketball Insiders, and as a beat reporter for Boston Celtics on SI. He also covered the NFL for Bleacher Report and was a national sports talk host for the SportsMap Radio Network.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Bulls</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the Denver Nuggets <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6002502/2024/12/17/zach-lavine-trade-rumors-nuggets/" rel="noopener">seek offensive upgrades</a>, they’re eying Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine, per Sam Amick and Tony Jones of The Athletic.</p><p>A deal bringing LaVine to the “Mile High City” <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-michael-porter-jr-trade-nuggets-looking-improve">would spell the end of Michael Porter Jr.’s tenure</a> with the Nuggets. The former is a more potent three-level scorer. Plus, he has experience as the focal point of an offense and is a more skilled facilitator.</p><p>LaVine is generating 21.7 points and 4.7 assists per game and knocking down 42.8 percent of the 7.5 threes he’s hoisting. Porter is producing 18.5 points and 2.8 assists per contest while converting on 38.5 percent of his six attempts from behind the arc.</p><p>Denver might regret this swap, though. The Nuggets have a top-five offense, averaging 119.2 points per game. Their lack of balance and the need to upgrade their second unit are more pressing matters.</p><p>The 2022-23 NBA champions rank 15th in defensive rating, surrendering 112.9 points per 100 possessions. That <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?dir=A&amp;sort=NET_RATING" rel="noopener">has dragged their net rating to</a> 13th (2.5), per NBA.com.</p><p>LaVine turns 30 in March, and he’s on the books for $46 million next season. He has a $49 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign, during which he’ll turn 32.</p><p>Porter is 26. He’s under contract for $38.3 million next season and $40.8 million for the 2026-27 campaign.</p><h2><b>A top team in the West could benefit if Bulls don’t want Michael Porter Jr.</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nuggets-Michael-Porter-Jr.jpg"><figcaption>© Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>While the Nuggets and Bulls are talking trade, Porter’s next home might not be in the “Windy City.” If his injury history and contract turn off the Bulls, a third team willing to gamble on Michael Porter Jr. could reap the rewards for a small price.</p><p>Perhaps the Memphis Grizzlies, second in the Western Conference with an 18-9 record, would swoop in.</p><p>If Memphis wants to add the six-foot-ten sharpshooter, who’s developing into a more potent three-level scoring threat, they could send Chicago a package featuring Brandon Clarke, Luke Kennard, and John Konchar.</p><p>The Nuggets could also acquire Jake LaRavia with Zach LaVine while rerouting Zeke Nnaji to Chicago to help make the money work.</p><p>Maybe the Grizzlies aren’t interested in Porter or parting with some of the individuals mentioned, but it’s hard to envision that group fetching them a better return.</p><p>Maybe the Bulls don’t view offloading Zach LaVine’s contract as enough of a win. Memphis parting with draft capital to help get this done seems likely. Still, the latter could make out best in this trade.</p><p>Acquiring Porter would give Ja Morant another knockdown shooter to work alongside, one with championship experience. It’s a move that could help extend the Grizzlies’ stay in the postseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Nuggets trade proposal lands Zach LaVine in 3-team deal with Bulls

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-playing-warriors-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Is Grizzlies’ Ja Morant playing vs. Warriors? Latest injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Grizzlies-news-Ja-Morant-gets-concerning-injury-update-amid-blowout-vs.-Lakers.jpg"></figure><h1>Is Grizzlies’ Ja Morant playing vs. Warriors? Latest injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-19T07:54:46-08:00">December 19th, 7:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T07:54:46-08:00">December 19th, 7:54am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-stephen-curry-warriors-nba-playoffs-preview-nba-mvp-all-star-voting">Memphis Grizzlies are preparing to host the Golden State Warriors</a> on Thursday night. Ja Morant, however, is dealing with low back soreness. Is the Grizzlies star playing on Thursday against the Warriors?</p><p>Although he has played well in 2024-25, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-sit-vs-pistons-new-injury">Morant has been forced to miss some time due to injuries</a>. Overall, he has played in 16 of the Grizzlies’ 27 games. Morant is averaging 27.7 points per game on 44.9 percent field goal shooting to go along with 10.6 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per outing.</p><p>Memphis is set to enter the game with an 18-9 record, while Golden State is 14-11. The Warriors started the season strong, but they have been far more inconsistent over the past month. With that being said, the Warriors are more than capable of pulling off an upset on the road.</p><p>Morant’s status will unquestionably be important for determining the outcome of the game. Here is everything we know about Ja Morant’s injury status for tonight vs. the Warriors.</p><p><b><i>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (</i></b><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored"><b><i>Get Access | Save $30</i></b></a><i>)</i><b><i>*</i></b></p><h2><b>Ja Morant’s injury status vs. Warriors</b></h2><p>Morant is currently <a href="https://ak-static.cms.nba.com/referee/injury/Injury-Report_2024-12-19_10AM.pdf">listed as questionable</a> due to low back soreness, per the NBA injury report.</p><p>The Grizzlies have out-performed expectations up to this point. Despite being limited at times, Morant’s play is a big reason behind their success. He features the ceiling of an MVP.</p><p>At just 25 years old, Morant is the leader Memphis needs on the floor. He is an elite finisher and playmaker, as he can impact multiple facets of the game.</p><p>Still, matching up against Stephen Curry and the Warriors is never an easy task. Golden State remains a threat to upset the odds even when they do not play their best basketball.</p><p>Tip-off for the Warriors-Grizzlies contest is scheduled for 8 PM EST. As for the question of if Ja Morant is playing tonight, the answer is currently uncertain.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Is Grizzlies’ Ja Morant playing vs. Warriors? Latest injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/warriors-vs-grizzlies-prediction-odds-pick-12-19-2024');   ga('set', 'title', 'Warriors vs. Grizzlies prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Warriors-vs-Grizzlies-prediction-odds-pick-1.jpg"></figure><h1>Warriors vs. Grizzlies prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T14:35:34-08:00">December 18th, 2:35pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-18T14:35:34-08:00">December 18th, 2:35pm</time><address><a>Nate Duffett</a>Nate Duffett is a writer for ClutchPoints and a sports junkie at heart, especially for the Boston sports scene. In his spare time, he coaches hockey and is also a Hockey Scout at FCHockey and NeutralZone. Whether it's covering the NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, or College Football and Basketball, there is not a sport Nate isn't able to discuss.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Golden State Warriors looked like they could be NBA title contenders when they started the season, but have been in a freefall over their past ten games. They had been battling with the Memphis Grizzlies at the top of the Western Conference standings at the beginning of the season, but the Grizzlies were the only ones who stuck around. The Grizzlies are now second in the conference with an 18-9 record. Despite the Grizzlies having a better place in the standings, the Warriors have won three consecutive matchups, including the teams’ first matchup on November 15. Memphis covered the game as seven-point underdogs, as Golden State won 123-118. Regardless, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-stephen-curry-warriors-nba-playoffs-preview-nba-mvp-all-star-voting">budding rivalry between the Warriors and Grizzlies</a> should make this a must-watch game on Thursday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba" rel="noopener">series</a> with a Warriors-Grizzlies prediction and pick.</p><p><b><i>Here are the Warriors-Grizzlies <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba" rel="noopener">NBA odds</a>, courtesy of FanDuel. </i></b></p><h2><b>NBA Odds: Warriors-Grizzlies Odds</b></h2><p>Golden State Warriors: +4 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: +140</p><p>Memphis Grizzlies: -4 (-110)</p><p>Moneyline: -165</p><p>Over: 237 (-110)</p><p>Under: 237 (-110)</p><h2><b>How To Watch Warriors vs. Grizzlies</b></h2><p>Time: 8 PM ET/5 PM PT</p><p>TV: NBC Sports Bay Area, Fanduel Sports Network</p><p><i><b>*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/lp/nba/?irad=356361&amp;irmp=492408" rel="noopener sponsored">(Get Access | Save $30)</a>*</b></i></p><h2><b>Why the Warriors Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Warriors have won two of the last ten games, sending them down the standings and back into a fight for the play-in tournament. The two wins have been a 114-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves and a 99-93 victory over the Houston Rockets. However, it’s worth noting that the schedule hasn’t been easy for the Warriors, with many close contests that could go either way. The last eight games have seen spreads that haven’t been outside the five-point range, and the Warriors covered five of those eight games.</p><p>The Warriors will have a new guard to place alongside Stephen Curry for this matchup. Golden State acquired Dennis Schroder to run the point, which should lessen Curry’s workload and spread the floor better for the three-point shooter. The Warriors had plenty of success with the two-headed guard monster of Curry and Klay Thompson, but Schroder’s style gives teams a different look.</p><h2><b>Why the Grizzlies Could Cover the Spread/Win</b></h2><p>The Grizzlies are on the opposite end of the spectrum in their last ten games, as they’ve won eight. However, the difference for the Grizzlies is that they’ve been a 6+ point favorite in six of those eight wins, and they are 1-1 in games where they were an underdog. Memphis’ schedule has been much more straightforward, which could make this matchup challenging to predict. However, one positive for the Grizzlies is that they’ve won three of the past four matchups against the Warriors at home.</p><h2><b>Final Warriors-Grizzlies Prediction &amp; Pick</b></h2><p>Sometimes, a team finds its opponents’ number, which could be the case for the Warriors after they won three consecutive games against the Grizzlies. However, the Warriors have been more battle-tested over the last ten games, as they’ve been in several matchups against playoff teams. Although they lost most of those matchups, they covered the spread in five of their past eight games against better teams, while the Grizzlies covered spreads against inferior teams.</p><p>The Warriors will also have a new look with Schroder, which could be the shot in the arm that the veteran team needs. They were one or two players short for depth in their rotation, and Schroder can play some massive minutes.</p><p><b>Final Warriors-Grizzlies Prediction &amp; Pick: Warriors +4 (-110)</b></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Warriors vs. Grizzlies prediction, odds, pick – 12/19/2024

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-stephen-curry-warriors-nba-playoffs-preview-nba-mvp-all-star-voting');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ja Morant’s Grizzlies vs. Stephen Curry’s Warriors deserves TNF hype from NBA');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ja-Morant-Grizzlies-looking-to-replace-Stephen-Curry-Warriors-in-Western-Conference.jpg"></figure><h1>Ja Morant’s Grizzlies vs. Stephen Curry’s Warriors deserves TNF hype from NBA</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-18T12:23:37-08:00">December 18th, 12:23pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-19T15:54:08-08:00">December 19th, 3:54pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Golden State Warriors</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The entire league took a day off after the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Cup. Now it’s back to business, and a showdown between <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-jaren-jackson-jr-speak-new-minute-allocations-taylor-jenkins-zach-edey">Ja Morant’s resurgent Memphis Grizzlies</a> and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors might be the best game on the Dec. 19 docket.</p><p>Morant missed the first Grizzlies-Warriors meeting, a 123-118 loss in San Francisco. Both squads look to be near full strength for the rematch in Memphis. Steve Kerr will even have Dennis Schroder running point guard for Golden State thanks to a proactive pre-Christmas trade.</p><p>Stephen Curry and Ja Morant represent the clash of generations the NBA has been looking to hype. This is the kind of regular-season clash that deserves NFL Thursday Night Football-level promotion from NBA headquarters.</p><p>Both are leading teams that should be making appearances in the NBA Playoffs. Getting NBA MVP consideration would not be a surprise, and fans will speak to their marketability with NBA All-Star Game votes.</p><p>A pair of million-dollar smile stars and organizations headed in different directions are just angles to sell the league’s fans.</p><p>Golden State (14-11) is 2-8 in its last 10 games, while Memphis (18-9) is 8-2, and the two franchises have effectively swapped spots in the standings. Morant is slowly replacing the old guard led by Curry and LeBron James thanks to a little help from Father Time.</p><p>Other games will be missing stars or involve lottery teams lacking talent in general. All things considered, the NBA should be over-marketing what might be one of the last truly competitive matchups between two generational talents. Instead, the game will not be seen nationally on NBATV, ESPN, or TNT.</p><h2>Grizzlies getting ready for new-look Warriors</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ja-Morant-Stephen-Curry-Grizzlies-Warriors-talking.jpg"><figcaption>Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>This is not quite the Grit and Grind Grizzlies of old, but those definitely are not the Splash Brothers Warriors of years past on the opposite bench. Still, both squads play unique styles worthy of attention.</p><p>Finding ways to highlight what is different about each team is just another way to draw in fans of all engagement levels. Expect Stephen Curry to have a counter to whatever it was the Grizzlies used on Nov. 15.</p><p>Taylor Jenkins crafted a defense that held Curry to 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting about a month ago. Since then, Draymond Green now begins games watching from the bench to keep the legs fresh.</p><p>Jonathan Kuminga has done little to impress with a starting role, unfortunately. Age and a lack of support are just two big <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/warriors-news-dennis-schroder-reveals-sons-adorable-reaction-to-trade">reasons why the Warriors traded for Schroder.</a> Propping Curry’s championship window open just a bit longer is obviously a priority, and yet Golden State is again fighting for an NBA Play-In Tournament spot.</p><p>Meanwhile, Ja Morant has been on a tear since returning from a hip injury, and Memphis (2nd) has a 2.5-game cushion over the Nuggets (5th) for a top-four seed.</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-jaren-jackson-jr-speak-new-minute-allocations-taylor-jenkins-zach-edey">Grizzlies are giving Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. more on-court time</a> to build chemistry. It’s working out for Taylor Jenkins as Memphis has only three losses since a Nov. 17 win over the Denver Nuggets.</p><p>Breaking down the last seven games played by Curry and Morant shows a <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?PerMode=Per36&amp;sort=PTS&amp;dir=-1&amp;TeamID=1610612763&amp;LastNGames=9" rel="noopener">line of clear separation.</a> Morant is averaging 28 points, 8.7 assists, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.5 steals/blocks per 36 minutes. The former All-Star is only logging 30.6 minutes a game in this sample, but that will change in the postseason.</p><p>Curry is posting 26.8 points, 7.6 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and a single steal/block per 36 minutes. It would be hard to argue the future first-ballot Hall of Famer is the better player now given the defensive output alone. However, Curry’s 42.1% three-point mark (per game all season) on nearly 13 attempts per game (last seven games) will continue to keep opponents honest.</p><p>This should be one of the more entertaining regular-season games on the schedule. Kerr has been getting Curry more open looks as well considering the season average of only 10 beyond-the-arc attempts per game. Jenkins is running a new offense which even Kerr’s once cutting-edge Warriors and Green must respect. However, Schroder was just stirring up trouble in the FedEx Forum.</p><h2>NBA needs a fan-friendly solution</h2><p>Stephen Curry and Ja Morant are marquee names in a heavyweight title fight. Not many celebrities earn the one-name treatment like Steph and Ja. And Morant was just talking about not liking teams that knock him out of the playoffs? Some fans would sign up for a $2 game-by-game pay-per-view option just for nights like this.</p><p>The NBA on TNT show has a doubleheader so NBATV would not pick up a competing program. The New York Knicks versus Minnesota Timberwolves are both on the fringe of the NBA Finals conversation.</p><p>A Julius Randle for Karl-Anthony Towns trade promo has already been filmed for that nightcap. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA Cup hangover game against the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic is in the early spot.</p><p>If the NBA wants to attract more eyeballs to live broadcasts, finding a way to be more flexible in these situations would be a starting point.</p><p>Ownership groups and television partners have to see a benefit in being able to push matchups that make sense instead of sticking with the status quo. It is too long of a season with too many stars and storylines to stay stuck in the old ways of doing things.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ja Morant’s Grizzlies vs. Stephen Curry’s Warriors deserves TNF hype from NBA

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-jaren-jackson-jr-speak-new-minute-allocations-taylor-jenkins-zach-edey');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson sound off on big minutes change');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-Ja-Morant-Jaren-Jackson-Jr.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson sound off on big minutes change</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-17T11:59:47-08:00">December 17th, 11:59am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-17T11:59:47-08:00">December 17th, 11:59am</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Taylor Jenkins was looking at a problem all NBA coaches wished they had during training camp. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-great-value-trio-nba-sixth-man-of-the-year-candidates-jake-laravia-scotty-pippen-jr-santi-aldama">Memphis Grizzlies had more talent on the bench</a> than minutes available in a game even with GG Jackson in a walking boot. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-injury-update-lakers-clash">Zach Edey being unavailable for week-long stretches</a> created opportunities for Santi Aldama, Jay Huff, and Jaren Jackson Jr. to stand out in different ways. However, getting back into a normal routine built around the Big Three was always the plan.</p><p>Morant, Jackson Jr., and Bane have been logging more minutes lately. The trio got 33+ minutes each in a historic road win over the Boston Celtics (December 7). Jenkins trimmed the workload slightly a week later in a road loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (Dec. 15). The Big Three split the difference in a revenge win at home over the Brooklyn Nets, which is where ClutchPoints <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1867799770741584258" rel="noopener">caught up with All-Stars</a> to see how they were adjusting to the new normal.</p><p>“It was great man,” Jackson Jr. admitted. “The more minutes we can get together the more chemistry we are going to build. It does not really matter who is out there but we’ve actually not logged a lot of minutes together in comparison to how long we’ve played together. But I don’t think that has hurt our chemistry or changed anything. I mean, I’m seeing these dudes every day so yeah, chemistry builds in a lot of ways.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jaren Jackson Jr. postgame:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GrindCity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GrindCity</a> <a href="https://t.co/bLATDXCm2v">pic.twitter.com/bLATDXCm2v</a></p><p>— Dodson (@DoingItDodson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DoingItDodson/status/1867799770741584258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Morant stuck with <a href="https://x.com/DoingItDodson/status/1867792883665055889" rel="noopener">letting the coaching staff do their job</a> while making sure to be ready for his.</p><p>“(How many minutes we play) is the coach’s decision,” Morant stated. “If we get the win, I’ll feel pretty good but whatever we’ve got to do, whatever Coach and them decide for us, then that is what we do. We just waiting for our number to be called.”</p><p>However, Jaren Jackson Jr. was initially stumped when asked about any new dynamic that has lifted the Grizzlies’ ceiling.</p><p>“I don’t think it’s…I don’t know. That’s a good question,” Jackson Jr. replied. “That’s a great question but I don’t think anything changes. I don’t think anything is different. I think everything stays the same and that’s why we have the success we have. We can’t change because other things are changing.”</p><p>Jay Huff was quick with an answer and had a different perspective. Unlike Jaren Jackson Jr., the reserve big man has seen some changes while stepping in as a crucial rotational piece during Zach Edey’s absence.</p><p>“I think we’ve been gelling a little bit more as a team since the start of the season,” Huff admitted. “Like Coach said, it’s more about doing more of what we do well. Typically, early on we’re finding out what’s working then later on put ourselves in those situations.”</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ja-Morant-jogs-happy.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Still, when it comes to confidence and closing out games, Ja Morant echoed Jenkins after a revenge win over the Nets.</p><p>“(The game) could be tied, we could be down two,” Ja Morant stated. “I’ll never think the game is in question when we are rolling. We’ve won 10 out of 11 (before losing to the Lakers). That tells you what type of team we are right now. The team we are trying to get to, obviously, we don’t want you to think the game is in question. We’ve got to be better in that area, playing 48 minutes. As long as we are staying connected and together, we’ll always feel like the odds are in our favor.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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Grizzlies News: Get the latest Memphis Grizzlies news, scores, stats, standings, fantasy games, and more from ClutchPoints.

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