Ty Jerome is scoring like a star, and Grizzlies keep winning

Ty Jerome has scored 104 points in three games. If you had him down for that before the season, please send along your lottery numbers.

The Grizzlies guard followed his 45-point opener and 28-point performance against the Warriors with 31 against the Kings on Sunday. Memphis is 3-0, and Jerome is averaging 34.7 points.

That’s a pretty good week for a player who made his name finding ways to contribute without needing to be the main attraction.

Against Sacramento, Jerome didn’t need an especially hot shooting night to keep it going. He finished 8-of-17 from the field but went 14-of-14 at the foul line, repeatedly taking advantage of overly aggressive defense, as Landon Speck of Sports Illustrated detailed.

So the Kings had trouble keeping him from scoring even when he wasn’t making a shot.

Jerome also delivered when Memphis needed it. After Sacramento tied the game at 106, his stepback three helped the Grizzlies regain control on the way to a 123-112 win.

Three games won’t establish a new scoring average, much less settle a Most Improved Player race. Opponents will adjust, and Jerome will have nights when getting to 20 is considerably more work.

But these points are coming in wins, including two on the road against the Warriors and Kings. Memphis has opened 3-0 for just the third time in franchise history.

Jerome doesn’t have to keep scoring like this for the Grizzlies to benefit. He’s already giving the next opponent something else to worry about.