Grizzlies’ Ja Morant Trails Only Jokic, Giannis In Paint Scoring

Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA News
NBA Analysis Network

The Memphis Grizzlies are cementing themselves as one of the premier teams in the Western Conference. They are currently holding down the No. 4 seed with a record of 21-14 this NBA season and would have homecourt in the first round of the playoffs.

A big reason for the team’s success this season has been the performance of point guard, Ja Morant. Morant is on the path to stardom as he is truly breaking out in his third season in the NBA.

The Murray State product is averaging 23.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 32.3 minutes per game. The points, rebounds, and steals would all be career-highs, as he is also having the best shooting season of his career.

The Memphis Grizzlies played some incredible basketball when Morant was sidelined with a knee sprain, but they know to reach the goals they have in place they need him healthy and playing at a high level.

LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Film Room: How Grizzlies Kept Winning Without Ja Morant

Morant is shooting a career-high 35 percent from the 3-point line, which is making him an even more dangerous player offensively. Teams now have to respect him on the perimeter, which is opening up the opportunities at the rim, where he truly thrives.

In the age of analytics, teams are emphasizing the types of shots they are taking. Shots in the restricted area at the rim and 3-pointers are the focus of so many offenses. Having a player that can score in the paint will open things up for players on the perimeter.

Recently, the NBA released the top-10 paint scorers in the league. It is no surprise that the list is littered with big men, with Nikola Jokic leading the way with 15.2 points per game. Second, on the list, is Giannis Antetokounmpo at 15.1. The third will shock some people, as it is Morant at 14.2.

Morant scores more than half of his points per game in the restricted area, which is a wild number for a point guard. LeBron James, who is listed at 6’9”, is the second shortest player in the top-10 after Morant, who is listed at 6’3”.

His skills in the restricted area were put in full display against the Phoenix Suns earlier this week, as Morant nailed the difficult game-winning layup with 0.5 seconds remaining.

To put into perspective how impressive it is that Morant is on that top-10 list, there are only four other guards, De’Aaron Fox, Bradley Beal, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell, even averaging double-digit points in the restricted area this season.

LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Film Room: How Grizzlies Kept Winning Without Ja Morant

His ability to get into the paint and finish with efficiency puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenses. They have to commit to stopping him at the rim, which opens up passing opportunities and for his teammates to score the ball.

Memphis is a team on the rise and Morant is a big reason why. They are a difficult team to slow down and things won’t get any easier as he ascends into stardom.

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