2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies Season

2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies Season

2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies: Playing to Their Strengths

The 2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies had found what made them stand out in the Western Conference, becoming one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. They had a solid core of talented players capable of carrying the team in any given game. The Grizzlies were becoming legitimate contenders in the Western Conference, though they still lacked signature moments, especially in the playoffs.

A Strong Showing in a Shortened Season

During the lockout-shortened season, the 2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies went 41-25, finishing 9 games behind the San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division. The Grizzlies went 26-7 on their home court at the FedExForum, while they went only 15-18 on the road. They were solid in each month of the shortened season, going 10-8 in January, 9-5 in February, 8-7 in March and 13-3 in April.

The Grizzlies’ Statistical Leaders

Gay, Gasol and Mayo Lead the Way

Small forward Rudy Gay had 1,232 points, 417 rebounds, 147 assists, 95 steals and 55 blocks, making 54 of 173 3-point shots and 208 of 263 free throws. Center Marc Gasol had 952 points, 579 rebounds, 204 assists, 62 steals and 121 blocks, making 237 of 317 free throws. Shooting guard O.J. Mayo, who was rarely referred to by his real name, Ovington J’Anthony, had 833 points, 169 assists and 71 steals, making 100 of 275 3-point shots and 133 of 172 free throws.

Conley, Allen and the Supporting Cast

Point guard Mike Conley had 788 points, 404 assists and 136 steals, making 60 of 159 3-point shots and 136 of 158 free throws. Shooting guard Tony Allen had 568 points and 104 steals, making 140 of 175 free throws. Center and power forward Marreese Speights had 526 points and 374 rebounds, making 84 of 109 free throws. Shooting guard and small forward Quincy Pondexter made 22 of 73 3-point shots. Point guard Gilbert Arenas played only one season for the Grizzlies, and Agent Zero gave it one last good effort in his solid NBA career. Arenas made 13 of 39 3-point shots.

Winning Streaks and Key Regular-Season Games

A January Hot Streak

Though they had only 66 games to work with in the shortened regular season, the Grizzlies still managed to produce a pair of impressive winning streaks to secure their standing in the Western Conference. The first was a 7-game winning streak that began with a 94-83 win over the New York Knicks on January 12 and ended with a tight 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors on January 23. In this win over the Warriors at Oracle Arena, the Grizzlies had their key players step up. Rudy Gay had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Mike Conley had 20 points and 9 assists, making 2 of 5 3-point shots.

Measuring Up Against the Clippers

One of their biggest tests of the regular season was a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9 at the FedExForum. Rudy Gay had 16 points and 6 rebounds and made 1 of 4 3-point shots. Marc Gasol had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. O.J. Mayo had 13 points and 5 rebounds, making 2 of 5 3-point shots. Mike Conley had 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, making 1 of 2 3-point shots.

Closing Out the Season Strong

Closing out the season in strong fashion, the Grizzlies went on a 6-game winning streak that began with a 91-84 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 17 and ended with an 88-76 win over the Orlando Magic on April 26. In the middle of the streak, the Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 93-89 on April 21 at the FedExForum. Gay had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists, making 1 of 4 3-point shots. Mayo had 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists, making 2 of 6 3-point shots.

Memphis’ win over Minnesota on April 17 could be seen as providing the team the spark it needed at the end. Gay had 28 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, making 2 of 5 3-point shots. Conley had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists, making 2 of 3 3-point shots. Having battled injuries to stay on the court throughout the season, power forward Zach Randolph played more like himself down the stretch, posting 16 points and 11 rebounds in this game.

A Seven-Game Playoff Battle With the Clippers

Having already taken a positive step forward the previous season, the Grizzlies were unable to keep moving forward as a team in the 2012 playoffs, as they were bounced by the Los Angeles Clippers 4 games to 3. In Game 2 on May 2 at the FedExForum, the Grizzlies beat the Clippers 105-98. Rudy Gay had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Mike Conley had 19 points and 6 assists. O.J. Mayo had 20 points and 4 rebounds.

In Game 5 on May 9 at the FedExForum, the Grizzlies won 92-80. Marc Gasol had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Zach Randolph had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Gay had 14 points and 5 rebounds. In Game 6 on May 11 at the Staples Center, the Grizzlies held on to beat the Clippers 90-88 to force a deciding Game 7. Gasol had 23 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Randolph had 18 points and broke out on the boards like only Z-Bo could, grabbing 16 rebounds while also delivering 3 blocks. Mike Conley had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists, making 3 of 5 3-point shots.

Looking Ahead

The 2011-2012 Memphis Grizzlies would not be the end of the story, as the team would be right back in the thick of things the following year with a return to the playoffs. That next season would see the Grizzlies take a ton of positive steps forward.