The Grizzlies (5-8) continue a four-game homestand in their most home heavy month of the season when they face the Golden State Warriors (2-12) on Tuesday at FedExForum.
Bear Necessities is a spotlight on key Grizzlies’ facts and trends, curated from Communication Manager Ross Wooden’s Game Notes, to stay informed entering tonight's matchup.
Here are a few things to watch:
- The Grizzlies have gone 4-3 since opening the season with five losses in their first six games. Over that recent seven-game stretch, Memphis ranks third in the NBA in assists per game (29.4) and is tied for fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.401). The Grizzlies have matched a franchise record by making at least 10 three-pointers in seven consecutive games. They are coming off a week in which they set season highs for threes made (17 on Nov. 13 at Charlotte) and attempted (36 on Nov. 17 vs Denver).
- Grizzlies reserve forward Brandon Clarke is off to a historic start to his rookie season. Clarke scored a career-high 19 points on 8-of-8 shooting, including knocking down a pair of threes, in Sunday’s home loss to Denver. It marked the second time this month that Clarke posted a perfect shooting percentage while taking at least seven shots. He is one of just three players in NBA history to take at least seven shots without a miss in multiple games as a rookie, joining Arvydas Sabonis and Buck Williams.
- When Dillon Brooks scores at a high level, the Grizzlies are difficult to beat. Memphis is 4-0 this season when Brooks scores at least 20 points, and has dropped every game when he’s below that mark. The third-year starting shooting guard is averaging 21.6 points on .513 percent shooting in 32.5 minutes per game in the Grizzlies’ five wins. In the team’s eight losses, Brooks is averaging just 8.3 points on .289 percent shooting in 23.3 minutes a game. He’s scored in double figures in six of nine games this month.
- The Warriors have posted one of the most dominant stretches in NBA history by winning three championships and five straight appearances in the NBA Finals the past five years. But attrition and injuries have delivered a devastating blow this season. The Warriors arrive in Memphis with the NBA’s worst record and on a seven-game losing streak, their longest since 2012. During a three-game stretch last week, the Warriors didn’t have a single player available who was part of last year’s playoff rotation.
- The Grizzlies list guard Grayson Allen (ankle soreness) as out for Tuesday’s game against the Warriors. Allen has been sidelined since Nov. 2. For the Warriors, Steph Curry (wrist), Klay Thompson (knee), D’Angelo Russell (thumb), Kevon Looney (Neuropathy), Damion Lee (hand), Jacob Evans (hip) and Alen Smailagic (knee) are out against the Grizzlies.
For the Grizzlies complete game notes, check here: Grizzlies Game Notes