Bear Necessities
The Memphis Grizzlies return to FedExForum, where they have won both of their games following the All-Star break, to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a nationally televised tilt on TNT AND LIVE HERE ON 92.9 FM ESPN…
The Grizzlies and Pelicans have split their first two matchups this season, both in New Orleans, and will play once more on April 9 in Memphis’ second-to-last game of the regular season. Memphis is on pace to win the Southwest Division, which would mark the first division title in franchise history… The Grizzlies are 7-5 this season against divisional opponents, including a 4-2 home record. The Grizzlies are 14-7 this season coming off a loss and 7-3 when playing at home immediately after a defeat. Memphis leads the NBA in points in the paint, second chance points and fast break points… The Grizzlies’ paint points average (57.5) is a franchise record and the third highest by any NBA team since data was tracked starting with the 1996-97 season… Their second chance scoring average (18.1) is the highest by any team since 1996-97… The Grizzlies also lead the NBA in rebounds, offensive rebounds, steals and blocks. Steven Adams has totaled 100 points, 58 offensive rebounds and 46 assists in his last 10 games… He is just the second player in NBA history to accumulate these numbers in any 10-game span, joining Charles Barkley (who did this in 23 different 10-game spans from 1987-90).
Series Records and Current Streaks vs. Opponent (Regular Season)
Overall: 32-40 (Won 1) Home: 20-15 (Won 1) Last Win: 2/15/22 Last Home Win: 5/10/21
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 Jonas Valančiūnas, the draft rights to Trey Murphy III, the draft rights to Brandon Boston to the New Orleans Pelicans and traded the draft rights to Tyler Harvey to the Charlotte Hornets; New Orleans traded Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, the draft rights to Ziaire Williams (10th overall), the draft rights to Jared Butler (40th overall) and a conditional 2022 first round draft pick (via Los Angeles Lakers) to Memphis and traded Wesley Iwundu and a protected 2022 first round draft pick to Charlotte; Charlotte traded Devonte’ Graham to New Orleans on Aug. 7, 2021. 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.
