Bear Necessities
· The Memphis Grizzlies have won four straight games and have gone 2-0 on their four-game road trip entering Friday’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks… Memphis is seeking its fifth winning streak of at least five games this season, live on 92.9 FM ESPN.
· Memphis defeated Indiana 135-102 on Tuesday, recording its largest margin of victory ever over the Pacers… This season alone, the Grizzlies have recorded their most lopsided wins ever over six different franchises: the 76ers (+35, Dec. 13), Magic (+28, March 5), Pacers (+33, March 15), Pistons (+30, Jan. 6), Thunder (+73, Dec. 2), and Wizards (+20, Jan. 29).
· The Grizzlies totaled 72 points in the paint, recorded 33 fast break points (24-0 in the first half) and outscored the Pacers 32-3 in points off turnovers… Memphis had 38 assists (to just 10 turnovers) and remained undefeated (23-0) when reaching 28 assists in a game.
· The Grizzlies average 58.2 points in the paint per game, tied for the highest paint scoring average by any NBA team since the stat was first tracked starting with the 1996-97 season.
· Atlanta is one of just three teams the Grizzlies have not defeated this season (Boston, Milwaukee)… All three of those teams have played the Grizzlies just once each.
· Memphis is one of three teams (Phoenix, Miami) to rank inside the Top 10 in both offensive rating and defensive rating.
Individual Milestones
Desmond Bane needs 11 3-pointers made to pass Mike Miller (202 in 2006-07) for the single-season franchise record.Jaren Jackson Jr. needs 16 blocks to pass Pau Gasol (169 in 2001-02) for the single-season franchise record.Steven Adams needs 24 offensive rebounds to pass Zach Randolph (330 in 2009-10) for the single-season franchise record.Ja Morant is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for scoring average (27.5)… The current mark is held by Shareef Abdur-Rahim (23.0 in 1998-99).Desmond Bane is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for free throw percentage (.898)… The current mark is held by O.J. Mayo (.879 in 2008-09).
Series Records and Current Streaks vs. Opponent (Regular Season)
Overall: 20-31 (Lost 1)Road: 8-18 (Won 2)Last Win: 4/7/21Last Road Win: 4/7/21The Grizzlies have won each of their last two trips to Atlanta by an average margin of 28.5 points.
Connections
Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins served five seasons (2013-18) as an assistant coach for the Hawks under then-head coach Mike Budenholzer.Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. and Hawks guard Trae Young were selected fourth and fifth overall, respectively, in the 2018 NBA Draft.Hawks center Gorgui Dieng played parts of two seasons with the Grizzlies (2019-21) and averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 17.7 minutes in 39 games.Hawks guard Delon Wright played 26 games for the Grizzlies during the 2018-19 season and averaged 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 30.8 minutes.Grizzlies center Steven Adams and Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari teamed on the 2019-20 Oklahoma City Thunder.Grizzlies guard De’Anthony Melton and Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu played at USC.Hawks guard Lou Williams was born in Memphis.Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones, Grizzlies assistant coach David McClure and Hawks forward Jalen Johnson went to Duke.Hawks assistant coach Nick Van Exel was an assistant coach for the Grizzlies for three seasons (2016-19).Grizzlies TV analyst Brevin Knight appeared in 47 games (43 starts) for the Hawks during the 2000-01 season and averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 29.0 minutes before he was traded to Memphis.