{"uid":"Entry:6cecaf92-8ca1-48fb-ab3d-54c4623aced6","title":"Quick Recap: Grizzlies cook Nuggets in resounding win","dek":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies put together a massive win over the Western Conference’s top seed, Denver Nuggets."},"createdAt":"2023-02-26T01:20:21.000Z","url":"https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2023/2/25/23615255/quick-recap-memphis-grizzlies-cook-denver-nuggets-in-resounding-win-morant-tillman-nba","wordCount":777,"updatedAt":"2023-02-26T04:01:15.000Z","author":{"fullOrUserName":"Parker Fleming"},"authorProfile":null,"contributors":[],"communityGroups":[{"name":"Front Page"},{"name":"Quick Recap"}],"body":{"components":[{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"JvyufK","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies returned to FedExForum for their first home game after the All-Star break, as the top-seeded Denver Nuggets rolled into town. The Grizzlies (Steven Adams) and Nuggets (Aaron Gordon) were both missing key players, but it still served as an anticipated bout on this Saturday slate of games."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"B6S8t9","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies and Nuggets started with a fast, back-and-forth pace. Xavier Tillman quickly scored 6 points off the bat. The Nuggets started off fine, but they cooled off significantly towards the end of the quarter. Ja Morant was pretty much able to get wherever he wanted on the floor, attacked the paint at will. The Grizzlies closed with a 28-20 lead after the first quarter."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Dyiifk","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies made it rain from deep in the 2nd quarter — drilling 6 three-pointers in the quarter. Tyus Jones led the charge here, connecting on 4 triples, which really generated some flow in the offense when Morant sat. The Grizzlies used a 14-2 run to start the quarter to blow the doors open a little bit, generating a sizable double-digit lead quick. The Grizzlies finished with a 66-42 lead at halftime."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"kkc4wP","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies built their lead up past 30 points, and they didn’t budge. Their offense was still crisp, and they were going after 50/50 balls too — Morant included:"},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyEmbed","placement":{"id":"5chwY3","alignment":null},"embed":{"embedHtml":"

It's such a tone-setter when your star player goes after 50-50 balls this hard

And obviously the silky finish from Ja Morantpic.twitter.com/TazQjeT6Up

— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) February 26, 2023
\n\n","provider":{"name":"Twitter"}}},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Su2lAZ","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies closed with a 94-62 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"FGXpeu","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Nuggets pulled Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. at the start of the 4th quarter. Nothing totally eventful happened in the quarter. Luke Kennard and Tyus Jones hit a couple of 3’s to bring their totals to 4 and 5, respectively."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"06FwYI","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies ended the game with Kennedy Chandler, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, David Roddy, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. The fans got treated with some good Jr. moments."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"TABBqq","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Memphis Grizzlies close with a resounding 112-94 win."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyHeading","placement":{"id":"soyN84","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Quick Takeaways"},"level":2},{"__typename":"EntryBodyList","placement":{"id":null,"alignment":null},"items":[{"line":{"html":"Stones back rolling. Tyus Jones went on an absolute heater in the 2nd quarter, and it was great to see him snap out of a funk lately. In his last 11 games, Jones has averaged 4.5 points and 3.6 assists on 33.9% shooting from the field and 14.3% from 3. He played with extra swagger and confidence on the offensive end, and when he’s doing that, the offense tends to hum and work its way around in the halfcourt. For the Grizzlies to officially navigate out of this weird month stretch of play, getting the “Tyus Stones” version of Jones will be crucial."},"placement":{"id":"BsqcVt"}},{"line":{"html":"X solid again. Xavier Tillman go the starting nod, so that the Grizzlies had a physical option against Nikola Jokic. He played rock-solid defense against Jokic, holding him to 15 points and 13 rebounds. The biggest difference was Jokic was minimized as a playmaker, only generating 3 assists. Tillman also was ready offensively, as he connected on all 6 of his attempts for 12 points, while also dropping 3 dimes. I don’t know his standing in the rotation once Steven Adams returns, but he’s reemerged as a good player to have in emergency situations."},"placement":{"id":"2u4lnp"}},{"line":{"html":"Sneaky Dillon game. We don’t need to delve much into the 2023 it’s been for Dillon Brooks, but he put together a sneaky steady game — probably his best in awhile. He connected on 5 of his 9 shot attempts, while making 2 of his 4 three-point tries. Everything he sought offensively came within the flow, nothing was forced. He was also instrumental in holding Jamal Murray into a 3-13 shooting night (1-5 from 3). It’s not the most eye-popping game we’ve seen from Dillon Brooks, but he doesn’t need to be on this version of the Grizzlies. He served as the perfect complementary piece within the system."},"placement":{"id":"4mfrlU"}},{"line":{"html":"Much-needed Grizz win. This is the kind of win that can turn the tide for the Memphis Grizzlies. From start to finish, they laid the smackdown on top-seeded Denver Nuggets. They minimized their star, made his supporting cast complete non-factors, and kept things flowing offensively. The Grizzlies have now won 4 of their past 6 games, but this one seems like it could be the foundation for a bounce-back into a massive month of March on the horizon."},"placement":{"id":"R5QTxN"}}],"ordered":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Ocov0D","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies will get a couple days off before they play the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Tuesday February 28th."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"2hiC3a","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Grizzly Bear Blues will be moving to Bluff City Media on 3/1, and you can subscribe here for insider Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers content. Use promo code “GBBLIVE” for 10% OFF an annual subscription. Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Twitter and Instagram. For more Grizzlies talk, subscribe to the Grizzly Bear Blues podcast network on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and IHeart. "},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false}]}}
top of page
Search
Writer's pictureParker Fleming
Jan 14, 20244 min read

Connecticut, Xavier January 10th, 2024 Scouting Report

WHO: University of Connecticut vs. Xavier University

WHEN: January 10th, 2024 -- Cincinnati, Ohio

RESULT: Connecticut 80-75


When it comes to scouting the consensus lottery, UConn's Stephon Castle -- as well as Nikola Topic -- is one of the few players I haven't seen yet this cycle. Castle missed the UConn game I've scouted this season with a knee procedure. Unfortunately, Donovan Clingan was out this game with a knee injury.


Nonetheless, I was impressed with UConn's offense in Clingan's absence. They operate with a lot of ball and player movement with 4-around-1 sets -- utilizing "Stagger Away," "Twirl," "Pindown" actions to create looks from 3.


Stephon Castle

  • 12 points (6-9 shooting, 0-3 from 3), 8 assists (5 turnovers), 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 4 fouls in 36 minutes

Offense: Castle is a bit of a non-shooter at the moment. Defenses sag off him inside the arc, making it tough for him to generate clear advantages. However, once he gains steam with space, he's such a good driver. He explodes to the basket with his athleticism and his craft around the basket, all while finishing with good contact absorption. With his playmaking, I wasn't too concerned with the turnovers -- especially since one came from diving for a loose ball and trying to save it. He makes the right read with how he can locate shooters and cutters within the flow of the offense.

Defense: Castle's defense is awesome from the perimeter position. He plays with great physicality, stonewalling perimeter players from getting downhill. His verticality from the guard spot is quite impressive as well. These elements of his game allow him to be an event creator defensively, finishing with 4 stocks. Ultimately, he has the tools to be a phenomenal point-of-attack and team defender.

What I'm monitoring: Can he be an effective wing? Castle's optimal role at the next level, in relation to where he may be drafted, seems to be a starting-caliber 2/3 that can handle playmaking responsibilities -- whether it's secondary/tertiary with starters, or as a primary/secondary in staggered lineups. He doesn't possess ideal wing size -- though at 6'6" and 215 pounds, he's not necessarily a small one either. A lot of it predicates around the jumper. His shot mechanics aren't terrible, as really the only flaw is how he leans and arches his back a bit on his jumper. If the shot falls with consistently, it opens up the floor for him to maximize his skillset as a driver. Nonetheless, I'm intrigued with how he could hold up as a wing -- given his measurements, and how his potential as a versatile defender.



Alex Karaban

  • 14 points (4-9 from the field, 3-6 from 3), 4 rebounds, 3 assists (0 turnovers), 3 steals, 1 block, 1 foul in 29 minutes

Offense: Karaban came out of the gates on fire. The Huskies utilize him as a screener and movement shooter, providing optionality and variance within its sets. His movement shooting was pretty pristine -- flying around screens with urgency, and squaring away to get rhythm jumpers. He didn't get many opportunity to put the ball on the floor and creator, though. Nonetheless, his presence as an outside shooter elevated this UConn team early.

Defense: Something I wanted to monitor after the 1st watch, Karaban's defense was much improved. Granted, I don't know how much had to do with Xavier's talent or his defensive prowess. However, he halted drives a lot better to force offensive players into uncomfortable looks downhill. He applied pressure whether his man was off the ball deep from the arc, on the ball, or on the drive with his verticality. He maintained a presence with his defensive activity getting his hands on balls for deflections and steals, coming away with 3 steals. He still struggles at the point of attack, which could remain a sore spot at the next level. He doesn't possess the size or physicality when tackled with post assignments, though active hands could offset it. Despite his concerns, Karaban remaining a positive defender with his activity was encouraging to watch.




Other notes

  • Tristan Newton: Newton struggled shooting the ball in this game, specifically on the drive. He's a fluid mover downhill and really works well in motion, but Xavier shut him off and prevented him from finding good angles downhill. His 11 assists are going to pop off the box score, but there wasn't a whole lot to take from them. Like Castle's assist numbers, Newton's came within the flow of the offense in transition opportunities or within their actions -- more than anything, a good sign of his game management within the system. He showed good defensive activity with his ball pressure and his event creation (2 stocks).



  • Cam Spencer: Spencer was UConn's leading scorer. He flows really well in motion through their actions -- possessing prowess as a cutter, movement shooter, and next-action initiation. His issues come with his defense. When defending in space, his footwork and his hips are a bit behind in relation to the offensive player's move. If the driver picks up his dribble in proximity to the paint, Spencer is fine. However, for a guard, his perimeter defense is a major area of growth at the next level.



16 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Commenti

bottom of page