The Memphis Grizzlies’ Newfound Focus on 3-Pointers
Unlike past years, the Memphis Grizzlies have evolved into a, somewhat, modern NBA team with a newfound emphasis on 3-pointers.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2016-17 season was a rollercoaster with its ups and downs. It was a season full of injuries, the backup point guard fiasco, resurrection of Vince Carter and many other things. In the midst of all of this, there was a new weapon added to the “Grit ‘N’ Grind” style of basketball: the 3-point shot. David Fizdale delivered on his promise of implementing the 3, adding it to the team artillery and utilizing it to keep up with the pace of the new NBA.
David Fizdale started his Memphis Grizzlies coaching job by promising a change in the style of play and implementing the 3-pointers as a vital part of the offense. In my first article at Beale Street Bears, I’ll give a statistical bird’s-eye view of Grizzlies’ usage of the 3-point line, in wins vs. losses and favorite teams to shoot it against.
Shooting The 3
The Memphis Grizzlies shot from behind the arc like never before. It was a joy to see the team utilizing the extra possible point from behind the line. Watching Marc Gasol shooting a transition 3 from 28 feet was like finding a one-hundred dollar bill in your old pants while cleaning out the closet. The Memphis Grizzlies finished its 1st season under rookie coach David Fizdale with a 43-39 record.
In the 82 games,according to NBA stats, the Grizzlies made 9.4 three-pointers per game while attempting 26.5 (35.4 percent shooting). Surprisingly, the Grizzlies shot better and attempted more 3-pointers on the road compared to games played in the Grind House. They made 9.8 three-pointers per game while attempting 27.6 (35.4 percent) on the road. At home, they only made nine triples per game on 25.3 attempts (35.3 percent).
Win & Lose by The 3
In today’s NBA, the team that makes more 3-pointers usually wins. In the games Memphis Grizzlies won this season, they made 10.7 three-pointers per game while attempting 26.2 (40.7 percent shooting). On the other hand, in losses, the Grizzlies only made 7.9 three-pointers per game while attempting 26.7 (29.6 percent) from behind the arc.
This trend became more noticeable as the season progressed. The better the Grizzlies from behind the arc, the more they won. It’s now a vital part of the team’s offense as both Marc and Mike have been unleashed with the arrival of Fizdale. The Memphis Grizzlies, unlike previous seasons, are now a middle-of-the-pack three-point shooting team.
Favorite opponents:
Throughout the season the Grizzlies had games where they just couldn’t miss
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from downtown. There were games where Troy was lighting it up coming off the bench. Other spots where Gasol was heat checking from 30(!), and also games season where Conley was on his All-Star mode. The Grizzlies’ best 3-shooting were against Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, respectively. Grizzlies averaged 14 three-pointers on 54.5 percent in its 3 games against the Phoenix Suns. In their only two games, the Grizzlies averaged 12 three-pointers on 46.2 percent versus the New York Knicks. In their two matches against the Washington Wizards, the Grizzlies averaged 11.5 three-pointers on 41.1 percent shooting.
Shooters shoot.