Preseason opener hints at Grizzlies' bombs-away approach to early season

For the Grizzlies, Scotty Pippen Jr. committed three fouls and two turnovers, while new signing Olivier-Maxence Prosper had four turnovers in the quarter and five in the game while shooting 0-of-6.

Leaning on threes could work while Grizzlies are short-handed

The Grizzlies were 11th in the NBA in three-point percentage last season. They traded away their best outside shooter in Desmond Bane (2.4 threes per game, 39.2 percent) but added Ty Jerome (1.6 threes, 43.9 percent) over the summer, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1.5 threes, 34.2 percent). No. 11 overall pick Cedric Coward shot 38.8 percent on threes in college. Landale shot 42.3 percent from deep last season, but that was on only 26 attempts.

It's not a great long-term approach, but with Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant and Zach Edey all out to start the season, bombing away from long range might be a temporary fix for the Grizzlies offense. Players like Santi Aldama (36.8 percent on threes last season), John Konchar (37.1 percent) and Pippen (39.7 percent) are all going to get more minutes in the season's first month. 

Having them spot up from deep might be the most efficient approach, though it's risky. Memphis got badly outrebounded Monday night, 55-38, and long rebounds from missed threes gave the Pistons some easy buckets.

But there aren't a lot of good options when three starters are out and the team is running very low on big men — Brandon Clarke is also out to start the season. If nothing else, the Grizzlies will force opposing defenses to guard out on the perimeter, which may open up driving lanes.

It's going to be a big challenge for first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo. While he surely has other tricks up his sleeve, Monday's game is a good indicator of how the three-happy Grizzlies might start the season — at least until their stars are back.