Herrington: Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke showing improved play amid changing roles
Could the improved play of Brandon Clarke, left, and Marcus Smart, right, be the reason the Grizzlies have a six-game winning streak? (Brandon Dill/AP Photo file)
Chris Herrington
Chris Herrington covers the Memphis Grizzlies and writes about Memphis culture, food, and civic life.
A moment from a winning streak: The Grizzlies are up eight in the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. They’ve come back from a 17-point deficit and are trying to put the game away. Marcus Smart catches the ball on the move along the baseline — what’s called a “go-and-catch” in recent coach-speak parlance — but two defenders converge on him at the rim.
He spies Brandon Clarke cutting from the opposite corner, fakes a direct pass to him and then wraps a bounce pass behind his back, which Clarke flushes with two hands. Ten-point lead.
Another, Friday night against the Pistons: The Grizzlies are up two points in the second quarter as Smart dribbles up the right side of the court. Clarke comes over to set a pick and Smart takes a sharp dribble to the left, into the paint. Clarke mostly slips the screen and turns toward the rim, where Smart sails a finger-roll-style pass in his direction.
Even with Pistons center Jalen Duren drifting back to contest, Clarke leaps over him to control the pass with one hand, banking it in and drawing the foul.
Topics
Memphis Grizzlies Subscriber Only Marcus Smart Brandon ClarkeThank you for supporting local journalism.
Subscribers to The Daily Memphian help fund our not-for-profit newsroom of nearly 40 local journalists plus more than 20 freelancers, all of whom work around the clock to cover the issues impacting our community. Subscriptions - and donations - also help fund our community access programs which provide free access to K-12 schools, community organizations, and more. Thank you for making our work possible.
Chris Herrington on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Chris Herrington's stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Ja Morant, Marcus Smart discuss imminent returns
Grizzlies star Ja Morant is officially active and available the team announced at 6:16 p.m. ahead of Monday night’s game against Portland.
Morant returns with 22 points, 11 assists to lead Grizzlies over Portland
Ja Morant shot 6 from 12 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points, and Santi Aldama finished with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Hill: Tigers, Grizzlies gave Memphis a November day it needed
The Tigers and Grizzlies tag teamed on Monday to give Memphis “one of the best days” of November basketball imaginable. Morant returns with 22 points, 11 assists to lead Grizzlies over PortlandRelated content:
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.