Preseason loss exposes huge weakness for Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies lost their first preseason game of the 2022-23 season when they hosted the Miami Heat at FedEx Forum on Oct. 7, despite the visiting team resting their starters and rotation players.

The most notable players competing for the Heat in this game were Duncan Robinson and rookie Nikola Jovic and both played pretty well. Robinson shot lights out in the game, pouring in 27 points while shooting 71% from beyond the arc and a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line. Jovic finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 23 minutes of action. He looks like he could be a contributor for this veteran Heat team right off the bat.

But the storyline in this game was the horrendous shooting performance from the Memphis Grizzlies, particularly at the free-throw line.

Free-throw shooting continues to be problematic for Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies shot 73.4% from the free-throw line as a team last season— third worst in the NBA. Unfortunately, it appears, those woes will continue into the 2022-23 season for the Grizzlies.

In the Oct. 7 game against the Heat, the Grizzlies shot 29 free throws in the first half, connecting on just 16 of them (55.2%). Things only got slightly better in the second half, as the team finished an abysmal 30 of 45 (66.7%) from the line.

The poor free-throw shooting was exacerbated by the fact the Grizzlies blew a 15-point lead in this particular game and ended up losing by just three points. The Heat made 19 of their 22 attempts from the charity stripe. If the Memphis Grizzlies would have matched the Heat’s 86% from the line in this game, they would have made nine more free throws, resulting in a six-point win.

Free-throw shooting is going to continue to hurt the Grizzlies this season, especially come playoff time. If this team truly has championship aspirations, this is something they have to correct and fast.

The team cannot continue to leave points on the board like they have if they want to take that next step and be true contenders once the playoffs arrive.