Grizzlies’ 6-0 start gives way to a turnover problem and three straight losses

The Grizzlies opened the season 6-0 and gave everyone a reason to reconsider their expectations.

Three straight losses later, they’re providing a reminder that a young team’s progress rarely moves in one direction.

The biggest concern is becoming familiar. Memphis keeps giving the ball away, and opponents keep turning those mistakes into points.

As Landon Speck of Grizzlies On SI noted⁠, turnovers have hurt the Grizzlies in all three losses. Friday’s 128-97 defeat against the Thunder included 18 giveaways that produced 30 Oklahoma City points.

That’s plenty of help for an opponent that already has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

It becomes even more damaging when Ajay Mitchell scores a career-high 35 points on 14-of-20 shooting. Gilgeous-Alexander added 28 and Jared McCain had 21, giving the Thunder three guards Memphis couldn’t adequately contain.

The Grizzlies have length on the perimeter with Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells. But Oklahoma City’s multiple scoring threats allowed it to find more favorable matchups elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Memphis shot 32% from the field and 22% from three. Missing open looks against the Thunder leaves little margin for sloppy possessions.

There were still signs of the Grizzlies’ strengths. They collected 13 offensive rebounds to Oklahoma City’s five. Rookie Cameron Boozer is getting valuable experience handling the ball and helping drive the offense.

Those opportunities will come with mistakes. Coach Tuomas Iisalo can reasonably live with some of that.

Careless passes and inconsistent intensity are harder to accept. Speck identified both in Friday’s loss, and neither requires a hot shooting night to correct.

The 6-0 start showed what Memphis can do. Taking better care of the ball would help the Grizzlies get back to doing it.

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