Colin Rafferty –
Last night, your Memphis Grizzlies took down the Sacramento Kings 115-107. The Grizzlies now improve to 9-12 on the season.
What a win, fueled by a dominating performance of one Zach Edey, the Grizz have now won 5 out of their last 6 and look like a better team.
This might be to the poor talent they are playing as of late, but nonetheless they are winning. Getting behind on some bad teams never is great, but winning against the teams you are supposed to, is the main goal.
The Grizzlies were looking down the barrel of a loss, occurring 23 total turnovers (25 points scored off those) and being a bit lost on the defensive end throughout the night.
The Grizzlies were able to claw back by just dominating inside, out rebounding the Kings 52-34 and putting up 62 points in the paint. The Kings put up 58 in the paint, due to the poor defense that gave them ample opportunities right under the basket.
An expected better effort from the Kings after the Grizzlies put them in their back pocket a few weeks ago.
Edey finished the night with 32 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The “Big Zamboni” is here, and like I mentioned before, he might be getting into his Purdue-Esque form; he’s mean, bullying people, and just not taking crap from anyone down low.
Just like the Zambonis on NHL ice rinks, he cleans the floor.
There was a lot of talk when Edey was drafted, that he wasn’t going to do well, he was a reach for the Grizzlies at 8th overall, he is too slow, he only gets calls because he is at Purdue. He is now putting himself in the category of most dominate big men in the league.
He is throwing around 6’10, 7-foot guys every night now. The big man is truly a sight for sore eyes.
Sure,there are things that he can improve on, it’s his second year, but he has been light on his feet and an instant game changer for this team.
His presence and ability are growing each game, once Ja Morant hits the court with him, look out.
Other Grizzlies players to highlight were Jaylen Wells, KCP, and Cam Spencer.
I have said it once, I will say it a thousand times, Cam Spencer is the guy who the Grizz thought they had with Luke Kennard. A guy that will shoot at will and make them with consistency, he was 4-5 from behind the arc last night.
KCP has continued his strong shooting as well, going 4-6 from the field and 2-3 from three-point land. He wasn’t great at the beginning of the season, but that was probably because the coaching staff was trying to figure out what to do with him.
Since then, he has been an effective bench player and one that the Grizz can rely on to give them some good minutes.
Lastly, Jaylen Wells, my man, has found his rhythm again. He is hitting the back of the net with his three’s and getting good looks driving and creating some shots off the dribble.
His defense hasn’t waned and I knew eventually his shot would fall. Thank the heavens.
Things are starting to look like the team that people expected, they are still under .500 but they have played better in every game since the Cav’s game on November 15th.
There is still some time to go, but this version of the Grizzlies is fun and exciting to watch.
Your Memphis Grizzlies will wrap up the four-game road trip with a game tomorrow against the San Antonio Spurs, who are still without Victor Wembanyama.
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