Memphis Grizzlies: 3 jaw-dropping statistics from the 2020-21 season

The Memphis Grizzlies led the league in second-chance points, almost entirely because of Jonas Valanciunas

If the last category was painfully obvious in how the Grizzlies achieved it, this one will come as even less of a surprise. Memphis led the league last season in second-chance points, a stat that is often overlooked at the NBA level.

While it may not seem like one of the most important stats in the game, I would contest that this number is what got the Grizz into the NBA Playoffs.

Midway through the Grizzlies’ 2020-21 season, who would you have labeled as the team’s best player? Your gut instinct will tell you Morant, but with the second-year point guard struggling to knock down shots, it was Jonas Valancuinas who emerged as this team’s most valuable player.

Valanciunas reeled in 4.1 offensive rebounds per game — that’s second in the league. It felt like half of his points came from missed shots that he easily tipped in or a beastly offensive rebound against another large defender.

JV would continue this in the NBA Playoffs, averaging the second-most in the postseason with 4.0 per contest.

He was the driving force behind the Grizzlies’ most important stat of the year in second-chance points. Memphis led the league with 15.0 per game.