2 Grizzlies weaknesses that their first two games have exposed

After a 1-1 start to the 2024-25 NBA season with both games on the road, the Grizzlies return home for their home opener and a four-game homestand. As predicted in the Grizzlies' first 10 games prediction, the team won their season opener at the Utah Jazz 126-124 and lost their second game at the Houston Rockets 128-108.

The first half of both games was well played by the team as they held halftime leads in each game which included a double-digit lead at some point in the first half of both contests. However, the second half proved differently in both contests, one they overcame and the other they fell flat.

There were two things present in both games the Grizzlies struggled with last season that they hope to overcome this season. However, time is of the essence, so these need to be corrected sooner rather than later in this tough Western Conference.

Rebounding has been horrible

From 2019-2023 the Grizzlies finished no less than seventh in the NBA in team total rebounds per game, including number one in the 2021-22 season. A huge part of that reason was the presence of Jonas Valanciunas (2019-2021) and Steven Adams (2021-2023) manning the center position and fighting for every board.

Last season, the Grizzlies fell to 14th in the league in team rebounding which led to the drafting of Zach Edey to become the team's starting center. Although he has rebounded well in his limited playing time due to foul trouble in the team's first two games (14 total rebounds in 38 minutes), the total team rebounding has lacked collectively.

After being outrebounded 49-41 in their win against the Jazz, the Grizzlies gave up 23 offensive rebounds against the Rockets (many given up in the second half) leading to a 64-43 rebounding disadvantage in their blowout loss. The four-game homestand might be just what the doctor ordered for this team to work on correcting this issue.

Third quarter scoring

The Grizzlies had the same story in nearly every game last season: play well and either lead or be within striking distance at the half then lose the lead or momentum in the third quarter. Their first two games this season have followed that same model: they were outscored 36-32 against the Jazz after leading by 11 at halftime and were outscored 39-18 against the Rockets after leading by six at the half.

After ranking dead last in the NBA in third-quarter scoring and 25th in third-quarter scoring differential last season, the team is a -25 through two games this season. The result was giving up multiple double-digit leads and splitting the contests after looking like a team positioned to be 2-0. Something has to give but it's still early and again, the four-game homestand can do this team some good with working on these early-season weaknesses.