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Welcome back to your Grizzlies Insider, where the season has begun and we deliver the latest NBA news and analysis straight to your inbox twice a week.
The Grizzlies were long overdue for one of those.
After handling business on the West Coast against Portland and Sacramento, Memphis finally dropped a game at home on Sunday night, Dec. 19, also against the Trail Blazers.
They just didn’t score it as well as they normally do. Players not named Dillon Brooks combined to shoot 23-for-66 (35%).
According to Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson, that type of output was on trend.
“I don’t want to use this as an excuse, because everybody has to travel in the NBA, but every time we leave the West Coast and we come back here to play, we don’t make shots,” Anderson said. “Again, I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but that was the theme of tonight. Shots didn’t go in that we normally make.”
He’s right. The statistics back that claim, even if it was just a hunch.
Over the last two seasons, Memphis has a 1-6 record in home games following trips to Phoenix, Utah or further West. They are off to an 0-3 start in that area this season, with losses to Miami, Toronto and Portland in those games.
In those games, Memphis is shooting 42.8% from the floor and 29% from 3-point range, each below their season average.
But it’s not just the West Coast trips that have plagued the Grizzlies. It’s any home game following a road win.
The Grizzlies are 3-8 over the last two seasons in home games coming off a road wins.
After taking on last-place Oklahoma City on Monday night, they will get back on the road for Christmas to play three tough games against Golden State, Sacramento and Phoenix.
More from your Insider:
Dillon Brooks scored a career-high 37 points, but it was a cold-shooting night from the other Grizzlies.
Coach Taylor Jenkins would not set a firm date for a Ja Morant return, but said the point guard is ‘really close.’
There were questions about whether the game would be played at all, but once it started, Dillon Brooks and De’Anthony Melton led the charge.
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