Why the Memphis Grizzlies Defense Is Slipping from Its Grind

The Memphis Grizzlies' imposing defense has fallen in recent weeks. While the Grizzlies aren't defending as poorly as they did when Marc Gasol was injured last season, their subpar performance is giving them a smaller margin for error.

They're showing less defensive intensity, communicating less and losing the coordinated attack characteristic to their identity. 

From the start, the Grizzlies could slacken a bit defensively since they improved their scoring. That enabled them to hold a 6.9-point margin of victory through 20 games while allowing 102.5 points per 100 possessions. 

That was a bit higher than the two best years of the "grit 'n' grind" defense, and it kept them among the top seven in defensive rating.

A more significant decline in the past few weeks raises the question of whether that defense has lost its grit, rather than affording itself the ability to rest through a few defensive plays.

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Sleeping through a December stretch

In 16 games from Dec. 9 to Jan. 9, the Grizzlies have allowed 108.3 points per 100 possessions. An early part of this string of lax defense included three overtime matches out of four games and some tired performances afterward.

On Dec. 13, the Philadelphia 76ers overran an exhausted Memphis crew for 97 points in three-and-a-half quarters before Mike Conley led a rally from a 16-point deficit to win in overtime.

Head coach Dave Joerger told The Commercial Appeal's Ron Tillery (subscription required), "(The Sixers) played with a lot more energy for most of the game."

Showing a lack of urgency in regulation forced Memphis to use extra periods to fend off inferior foes in Philadelphia and the Charlotte Hornets. Also, it taxed the team over a grueling stretch.

In the fourth of five games in seven days, the Grizzlies allowed a dysfunctional Cleveland Cavaliers squad to run seamlessly on Dec. 21, achieving a 65.1 percent effective field-goal clip en route to a 105-91 triumph over the Grizzlies.

Lamenting how his team's defense had faltered, Joerger told Tillery (subscription required), "They played loose and free. They've got a lot of talent. We didn't play with enough energy or force."

Even after that seven-game stretch starting with the Dec. 12 double-overtime affair with the Hornets, the Grizzlies often lacked drive on that end, allowing 108 or more points per 100 in five of eight games.

Absent three-point defense

The Grizzlies are failing to contain opponents beyond the arc. They're 25th in opponent three-point field-goal percentage at 37 percent, including 39.9 percent in the past 16 games.

The Atlanta Hawks downed the Grizzlies 96-86 on Wednesday thanks in part to 13-of-25 downtown shooting. 

As Atlanta heated up, the Memphis Flyer's Kevin Lipe issued a warning via Twitter.

On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans managed to hit transition three-pointers while making 10 of 20 long-range attempts in defeating the Grizzlies 103-95.

Partly, the problem is that the Grizzlies aren't rotating to prevent open looks behind the line. Jeff Teague hit the decisive three on Wednesday after a missed rotation off a pick. 

This play, where Gasol drew back and Conley didn't fight through Al Horford's screen, is one instance of miscommunication discussed by The Commercial Appeal's Peter Edmiston (subscription required).

Edmiston said, "The Grizzlies' defense is predicated on communication among all five guys, with the goal generally being to try and funnel most action away from the paint. To do that, though, everyone needs to be in concert regarding each opponent action."

Conclusion 

Previously, the Grizzlies' punishing defense formed the basis of their playoff fight. That shouldn't change this spring, considering how Courtney Lee is slowly regressing to the mean and Zach Randolph may not have an easy stretch run after his injury.

The Grizzlies' improved offense will give them a better chance of reaching the NBA Finals. But as seen in recent losses, Memphis can't rely on its scoring power to prevail all the time. They'll need tight defensive rotation when they slow the pace in the postseason to go deep.

Statistics are current through Jan. 10 games. Unless otherwise noted, advanced metrics come from Basketball-Reference.com.