Memphis Grizzlies Game Notes
Memphis Grizzlies (55-25) vs New Orleans Pelicans (36-44)
April 9, 2022
5 p.m. CT
FedExForum
GAME LIVE ON 92.9 FM ESPN
Bear Necessities
· The Memphis Grizzlies will play their final two regular season games in a back-to-back at FedExForum, beginning with the Pelicans on Saturday, April 9… Memphis is 29-10 at home, the third-best home record in the NBA, and looks to extend their home winning streak to a season-high 10 games.
· Memphis will tie its franchise record for wins in a season with its next victory (56-26 in 2012-13).
· The Grizzlies have clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the highest conference finish in franchise history.
· Memphis ranks second in the NBA in scoring (115.4)… The Grizzlies are on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for scoring average, its third time to do so in three seasons since naming Taylor Jenkins head coach in 2019… Memphis is vying to lead the NBA in scoring for the first time in franchise history (the team has never finished a season ranked inside the NBA Top 5).
· Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the front-runners for Defensive Player of the Year, leads the NBA in blocks (setting a single-season franchise record) and blocks per game… Jackson Jr. leads the league in stocks (steals + blocks) for the Grizzlies, who pace the NBA in both categories and rank fifth in defensive rating.
Milestones
Desmond Bane is on pace to set a new single-season franchise record for free throw percentage (.902)… The current mark is held by O.J. Mayo (.879 in 2008-09).
Series Records and Current Streaks vs. Opponent (Regular Season)
Overall: 33-40 (Won 2)Home: 21-15 (Won 2)Last Win: 3/8/22Last Home Win: 3/8/22
Connections
Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (Dalzell, SC) and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (Spartanburg, SC) are both South Carolina natives who were selected second and first overall, respectively, in the 2019 NBA Draft… Williamson, Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones and Grizzlies assistant coach David McClure all played at Duke.Grizzlies center Steven Adams averaged 7.6 points and 8.9 rebounds in 27.7 minutes in 58 games (all starts) with the Pelicans during the 2020-21 season.Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas appeared in 151 games (148 starts) in parts of three seasons (2018-21) with the Grizzlies and averaged 16.4 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 27.3 minutes… As part of a three-team trade, Memphis traded a package that included Valančiūnas and the draft rights to Trey Murphy III to the New Orleans Pelicans for a package that included Adams, the draft rights to Ziaire Williams and future draft considerations.Pelicans wing Garrett Temple averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 49 games for Memphis during the 2018-19 season.Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (Las Palmas) and Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez (Madrid) were both born in Spain.Pelicans player development/assistant coach Beno Udrih averaged 7.0 points in 97 games for the Grizzlies for three seasons from 2013-14 to 2015-16.Pelicans TV analyst Antonio Daniels was drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies fourth overall in the 1997 NBA Draft and averaged 7.8 points in 74 games (50 starts) in one season with Vancouver.Pelicans player development/assistant coach Darnell Lazare served with the Grizzlies as a player development coach during the 2018-19 season.
