Key Highlights
- The Memphis Grizzlies must play like an All-Star against the 13th-seeded Brooklyn Nets.
- Jaren Jackson Jr. should start his offense closer to the basket and avoid biting on fakes.
- Memphis needs to focus on defense, particularly stopping Cam Thomas and Egor Dëmin’s three-point attempts.
- The Grizzlies must dominate rebounding to keep the game competitive against Brooklyn.
Overview of the Challenge: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Brooklyn Nets
The Memphis Grizzlies face a challenging matchup against the 13th-seeded Brooklyn Nets in their current four-game home stand, starting with a crucial contest on January 9, 2026. The Grizzlies can’t afford to take this game lightly as they aim for progress in the standings.
Strategic Approach: Utilizing Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Skills
The pairing of Jock Landale and Jaren Jackson Jr. might be a bit clunky, but it’s crucial that the Grizzlies run it again. Jackson needs to play like an All-Star by starting his offense closer to the basket. This approach can attract extra attention from Brooklyn defenders, potentially leading to open jumpers or cuts for teammates.
Additionally, Jackson must stay out of foul trouble and avoid biting on any more fakes.
His presence in the game is vital as he anchors the back line. Memphis needs him to be on the court as often as possible to contribute significantly.
Defensive Focus: Stopping Brooklyn’s Threats
With Michael Porter Jr. out, Cam Thomas will take on a more significant offensive load for the Nets. He’s a threat at mid-range, so he can’t be allowed to dribble into that spot for clean pull-ups. Memphis must also keep an eye on Egor Dëmin, who has been averaging 16.6 points over his last five games and shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range.
Basketball analysis suggests that the Nets make 38.5% of wide-open three-point attempts.
To counter this, Memphis should use a throwback night from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to pressure the ball coming off screens, particularly handoffs. This defensive strategy can disrupt Brooklyn’s play and force them into more difficult shots.
Rebounding: Key to Maintaining Momentum
The Nets are poor at defensive rebounding but average on the offensive glass. Memphis must prevent them from recovering too many extra possessions because that’s when they have their best chances of scoring quickly. The Grizzlies need to dominate the boards, as it can keep them in the game if they show up missing everything.
Memphis needs a collective effort on the glass to out-rebound Brooklyn and maintain possession, giving themselves more opportunities to score or push the ball up the court for quick transitions.
This is particularly important given that after this game, they won’t be back in Memphis until January 21, leaving them little margin for error.
Overall, the Grizzlies must play with intensity and focus on their defensive strategies while leveraging Jaren Jackson Jr.’s skills to gain an edge against the Nets. Success will require meticulous planning and execution from both players and coaches alike.
