NBA Notes: Grizzlies, Ty Jerome, Mavericks, Cooper Flagg, Bucks

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies handed Ty Jerome the starting point guard job. He opened the season by scoring a career-high 45 points.

Jerome powered Memphis to a 123-103 win over the Jazz on Wednesday, giving the Grizzlies an emphatic first look at their new lead guard. He scored 19 points before halftime and later passed the 40-point mark with a three-pointer from near the logo.

As Landon Speck of Grizzlies On SI writes, the difference in Memphis’ shot creation with and without Jerome was noticeable. The offense struggled during an early stretch with the starters resting, raising a question coach Tuomas Iisalo will need to address beyond opening night.

Jerome won’t score 45 every game. Finding reliable offense when he sits will be part of keeping the Grizzlies competitive on nights when he isn’t carrying them.

Zach Edey’s impact was less about scoring. Speck highlighted the center’s defensive presence and rebounding as important advantages for Memphis, while Jerami Grant supplied 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting in his Grizzlies debut.

Jaylen Wells also helped create separation through his perimeter defense. His deflections and pursuit of loose balls fueled a strong stretch early in the second half, including a save that led to a Cameron Boozer dunk.

For Memphis, there was plenty to like beyond Jerome’s shooting. But 45 points from the starting point guard certainly made the rest easier.

Mavericks

Cooper Flagg scored 32 points on 10-of-17 shooting, but Dallas otherwise had a difficult opening night under Dusty May, losing 128-110 to the Rockets.

A 38-12 second quarter left the Mavericks trailing 70-38 at halftime. They committed eight turnovers in that period and followed a 6-of-10 start from three-point range by missing their next 17 attempts.

Austin Veazey of Mavericks On SI identifies the lack of dependable creation beyond Flagg and Kyrie Irving as an early concern, particularly when Houston sent extra defenders at Irving.

Transition defense compounded the problem, with the Rockets scoring 29 fast-break points. Dallas was also without injured big men Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama.

Bucks

Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. delivered productive Milwaukee debuts, but the Bucks couldn’t finish a 128-116 loss to the Wizards. Herro had 24 points and nine assists, while Jaquez added 22 points and seven rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting.

As Tre Allen of Bucks On SI details, Milwaukee entered the fourth quarter ahead by three before being outscored 38-23. Washington shot 15-of-21 in the final period and scored 24 points in the paint, while the Bucks went 7-of-21.

Anthony Davis finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds, leaving Milwaukee with defensive problems to address despite the encouraging offense from its newcomers.