NBA Notes: Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo, Rockets, Reed Sheppard, Mavericks

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies dropped their seventh game in eight tries on Wednesday and never really threatened Boston, getting hammered by 36 and shooting just 33.7 percent from the field while the Celtics cruised at 50.5.

Head coach Tuomas Iisalo didn’t hide his disappointment, telling reporters the loss wasn’t just about missed shots, even though Memphis bricked open threes and struggled at the rim.

“One way to lose is not to make shots,” Iisalo said, via The Athletic’s Jay King. “That’s part of basketball. It happens. But the fact that the Celtics were everything we aspire to be — faster, harder working, better organized — that’s a tough pill to swallow.”

The Grizzlies were missing just about every organizational ball-handler again, with Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Javon Small all sidelined.

That forced Vince Williams Jr. into point-guard duty, and Memphis also remained without bigs Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke. Iisalo wasn’t giving anyone a pass.

“We got bullied on the boards,” he said. “Almost 40 second-chance points against a team that’s not particularly big. Transition, half court, communication — we were late on everything.

“That’s basic stuff. You can lose games. But going away from your identity? That has to be corrected right away.”

Rockets

Rockets guard Reed Sheppard is starting to look like a guy who’s figured out how to live as a full-time starter.

He’s had his three best games of the season over the last week, averaging 17.7 points in 26.7 minutes on blistering .645/.619/.855 shooting, as relayed Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle.

Kevin Durant said that this is the version the Rockets need consistently.

“That’s the Reed we like to see,” Durant said. “These last three games, he’s just playing freely. Under control. Knocking down shots. It’s a make-or-miss league, and he’s becoming efficient.”

Mavericks

Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports believes the post–Nico Harrison era in Dallas should begin with a full teardown.

O’Connor argues that Cooper Flagg is the kind of cornerstone worth building around and notes the Mavericks may be in position to add another top-tier prospect in the loaded 2026 draft.

He also floated eight hypothetical Anthony Davis deals, naming Atlanta and Detroit as intriguing fits if the Mavericks decide to explore a blockbuster reset.