Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Takeaways From The Road Loss Against The Boston Celtics

Justin Holiday Needs To Stay In The Starting Lineup

The Memphis Grizzlies traded for Justin Holiday just a couple of weeks ago and it hasn’t been a good start to his time in Memphis.

He finally got it going today finishing with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and two assists. He made 5-12 shots including going 2-5 from three-point range.

His defensive impact was also in full effect today as he recorded four steals and one block in this game. Those were his first steals since coming to Memphis.

He was also just 1-13 from three-point range before this game. He also had just 20 total points scored in those first six games.

A lot of those lower stats in those games were because of the minutes he played in those games. In his first six games with the team, he averaged just 3.3 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 17% from the field and 8% from three-point range in just 16.7 minutes per game.

In this game against the Celtics, he played in 36 minutes after not playing any more than 20 in any game since arriving in Memphis.

The Grizzlies made it a priority to get him into a rhythm and that’s what they did. He still needs to continue to do this on a daily basis but they need to get him involved every game if they want to get back to their winning ways.

His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is something they don’t get from other players. He still needs to step up himself but if they continue to play big minutes then they can expect him to get more comfortable going forward.

To do that they need to get him going early in games as they did today and that means being in the starting lineup. When Kyle Anderson comes back they’ll have to reassess things but for now, they need Holiday in the starting lineup playing heavy minutes.