MEMPHIS – As the Grizzlies navigate a sluggish start to the season, their focus remains on regaining their stride in two areas that were definitive strengths last season.
In hindsight, here are two takeaways from Wednesday’s setback to the Heat and a look-ahead to Friday’s visit from the Jazz as Memphis seeks to jumpstart its offense and defend home court.
BIYOMBO SETTLING IN
Although the outcomes have been mixed on the scoreboard, Bismack Biyombo’s impact on the court for the Grizzlies has been impressive since he joined the team last week.
The veteran center has started the past two games and has made three appearances after signing as a free agent to begin a frenetic acclimation process.
It started with Biyombo officially joining the team in Utah after the Nov. 1 loss to the Jazz, traveling with the Grizzlies and playing in the two-game weekend set in Portland, and then making his home debut in Memphis during Wednesday’s 108-102 loss to the Heat.
“It’s great to have all the guys helping me integrate as quickly as possible,” said Biyombo, who was available after finishing last season with the Phoenix Suns. “I have faith in God to put me in the right situation with the right people, more than anything. Everyone here, from the players to coaches to staff, have tried to make things as easy as possible. At the same time, it’s a long season and we’re just getting started.”
The initial production with his fifth team in 13 NBA seasons has been encouraging. Through two starts filling the void at center, Biyombo is shooting 70 percent from the field, averaging a team-best 10.5 rebounds and contributing 8.5 points in 28 minutes a game.
In those two games, Biyombo has tallied 11 offensive rebounds, four assists and three blocks. His energy, activity and screen-setting around the lane helped the Grizzlies trigger a 26-2 run to close the game for their first win of the season Sunday in Portland. And Wednesday, he made all four of his shots from the field and posted his second game with double-digit rebounds.
The Grizzlies are pleased with Biyombo’s progress as the team regroups after losing Steven Adams to season-ending knee surgery. Backup center Xavier Tillman has also missed the past two games with knee soreness, which created the need to add frontcourt help.
Biyombo’s presence has also contributed to a productive stretch for Grizzlies’ All-Star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who has benefited from sharing the court with another active, rim-protecting big man on the court. Jackson had a team-high 28 points against Miami in his third straight game scoring at least 25, which is the second-longest streak of his six-year NBA career.
“He’s had to learn a new system right away and play a lot,” Jackson said of Biyombo. “It’s hard but he’s handling it really well. It reminds me of when Steven was getting those crazy offensive boards, through three people. It helps a lot because rebounding is one of the things we need.”
REBOOTING THE OFFENSE
After watching his team again shoot below 40 percent from the field overall and under 30 percent on 3-pointers, coach Taylor Jenkins zeroed in on some issues the Grizzlies must address.
“Our running habits didn’t really help us get into the right spots on the floor,” Jenkins said, in part, of what’s ailing the offense. “We’re bringing the ball up in some weird spots on the floor, too, so it’s hard to recognize when we need to slow down . . . too much of the game, we’re just running around out of position. That’s on me to get these guys better organized.”
Getting the offense consistently organized has been a significant challenge this season. With Ja Morant serving a 25-game suspension and Derrick Rose sidelined with knee soreness, the Grizzlies are down to Marcus Smart as the lone, experienced traditional point guard.
The Grizzlies have elevated two-way, G League developmental point guard Jacob Gilyard into the rotation as the primary backup to help fill the void. Jenkins is also relying heavily on swingmen Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard and Ziaire Williams to take on more playmaking duties.
But there have been growing pains with an offense that ranks 28th in field-goal percentage (43.6), 27th in scoring (107.5) and 25th in 3-point shooting (32.4) among the league’s 30 teams.
“We’re starting to figure some things out,” Kennard said of an offense that ranked among the NBA’s best last season in transition scoring, paint points and points off turnovers. “There are definitely some things that we need to work on, but there also some things we’re getting better at. We’ll keep watching film and get better at those things we need to continue to get better at.”
CHANGE TUNE ON JAZZ
The Grizzlies should have plenty of motivation to deliver a breakthrough when they return to action Friday at FedExForum against the Jazz.
That matchup will be the second NBA In-Season Tournament game for the Grizzlies, who lost their West Group A opener last Friday in Portland. Friday will also mark their second meeting in 10 days with the Jazz after falling 133-109 last week in Salt Lake City.
The Grizzlies, Blazers and Jazz are joined in Group A with the Suns and Lakers, with each team playing four games in the initial stage for a chance to advance in the tournament.
And if there was any additional incentive needed Friday, the Grizzlies are the NBA’s lone team without a home win this season after posting the league’s best home record last season at 35-6.