Memphis Grizzlies: 5 reasons not to panic after dropping Game 1 vs Wolves

No 2. The three-point shooting can’t get much worse for the Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies made just seven 3-point shots in Game 1. That’s the fourth-fewest made threes in a game this season. They had one game in which they made four (Jan 23 vs Dallas), one game of five made threes and two games of six made threes.

Statistics and big data would suggest the Grizzlies are unlikely to shoot so poorly from beyond the arc again in the next game.

Even if they make just one or two more three pointers, this game would have likely had a radically different ending.

Only three players made a three-point shot attempt in Game 1: Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones. That makes it way too easy for the Timberwolves defense to figure out who they need to guard on the three-point line and who they don’t.

No 1. Jaren Jackson Jr. looked like the NBA DPOY despite limited minutes

Despite being in foul trouble most of the game, Jaren Jackson Jr. showed the Wolves and NBA fans why he should be under heavy consideration to be named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The 6’11” forward had 7 blocks in the game, setting a new franchise record for most blocks in a single playoff game.

The previous record was set back in 2013 by Marc Gasol against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he recorded 6 blocked shots.

If Jackson can stay out of foul trouble in Game 2 (and beyond), he’s going to have a chance to string together some 20+ point games in this series—something the Grizzlies will desperately need.