The Memphis Grizzlies are 9-7 through 16 games this season and have played three sets of back-to-back games thus far. In each set, the Grizzlies have lost the first night by double-digits and won the second night of their back-to-back games.
The Houston Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 128-108 at home on October 25th before the Grizzlies returned home to defeat the Orlando Magic 124-111 on October 26th. The following week the Grizzlies lost to the Brooklyn Nets 119-106 at home on October 30th before defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 122-99 at home on October 31st.
Then this week the Grizzlies lost to the Denver Nuggets at home in their back-to-back games against them over three days. They followed up a double-digit victory on Sunday with a double-digit defeat to the Nuggets on Tuesday. Then they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in a game that got close down the stretch to keep their streak of winning the second night of back-to-backs open last night.
The Grizzlies seem to have the same trend in all their back-to-back sets, and their rotation of player availability might be their biggest culprit. However, there are specific stats that show the difference between their first and second nights of back-to-back games this season.
Shooting Percentage
The Grizzlies are shooting an average of 42.8% from the field, 29.7% from three, and 66.1 percent from the free throw line in their three first night of back-to-back games this season. Their second-night numbers include 51.4% from the field, 37% from three, and 89.7% from the free throw line.
Off nights happen, but they typically happen on the second night of back-to-backs due to tired legs. The Grizzlies are doing the opposite as if they have tired legs on the first night and get rejuvenated on the second night of games. There is no real explanation of why they perform better on the second night and the players don't have a real sense of it either.
I asked Scotty Pippen Jr. why the Grizzlies are better on the 2nd night of back-to-backs as opposed to the first night. They are 3-0 this season on the 2nd night of back-to-backs. pic.twitter.com/HmIgNV4hSV
— Parish Sharkey (@DaOne_PShark) November 21, 2024
The simple thing to say about this is, "It's a make-or-miss league," and the Grizzlies have lost on the front end when they have missed their shots and won on the second night when they have made their shots.
Assist to Turnover Ratio
This is a solution that can be fixed and has more to do with the team being locked in on the second night of their back-to-back sets. The Grizzlies are averaging 31 assists and 18.3 turnovers on their second night as opposed to 25 assists and 21 turnovers on the first night.
The team is slightly more sloppy on the first night as the gap between turnovers isn't a huge difference. However, the assist numbers speak to the team staying to their principles and playing more team basketball on the second night of back-to-backs.
The shooting numbers affect this stat as well considering the team missed a good amount of open attempts on their first night sets. The Grizzlies have 11 more sets of back-to-back games to turn their fortune on the first night to match their second night more consistently.