Four Takeaways: Grizzlies’ Historic Road Start Continues Against Raptors

Boozer finds his rhythm

Boozer bounced back from a difficult stretch, making 9 of 16 shots for 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Eighteen of his points came after halftime, and he took on point-forward duties late in the game.

He attacked the basket with drives and finishes, while Memphis used him as the ball handler on 13 on-ball picks. The team scored 1.6 points per direct action on those plays, his best mark. Boozer also had six turnovers.

It was his third 20-point game this season. Through 10 games, he is averaging 16.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

Grant delivers on both ends

Grant scored 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and made all three of his three-point attempts, a season high. He also recorded two assists, a steal and a block without committing a foul.

He made an early impact on defense, then hit two fourth-quarter corner threes on passes from Boozer. Grant joined Memphis from Portland, where he averaged 18.6 points last season while shooting 45.3% from the field.

Memphis shoots with precision

The Grizzlies made 53.2% of their field goals, 16 of 34 three-pointers and 94.7% of their free throws. The combined marks reached the 50-40-90 thresholds. Memphis has met those shooting marks seven times on the road and 20 times overall. The previous time was March 1 in Indiana.

Reserves add 44 points

Memphis’s bench scored 44 of the team’s 118 points, continuing a strong run after entering the game as the NBA’s second-leading bench unit at 45.7 points per game. Taylor Hendricks scored nine points on 4-of-5 shooting in his best game of the season.