Daniels has six steals in blow-out loss to Grizz

• Dyson Daniels had 15 points, three rebounds, six assists and six steals
• Daniels leads NBA in steals per game
• Atlanta falls to 14-15 (7-7 at home)

The Memphis Grizzlies routed the Atlanta Hawks 128-112 on Sunday, December 22, 2024 (Game Centre) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The Grizzlies set the tone early with a blistering 43-point first quarter, establishing a lead they would never relinquish as they cruised to their third straight victory.

Australian guard Dyson Daniels was outstanding on both sides of the ball despite the 16-point loss.

He finished 15 points on 6-from-9 from the floor, snagged three rebounds, dishes six assists and pilfered six steals.

Daniels is leading the NBA in steals per game.

Memphis came out firing on all cylinders, quickly building a 16-point advantage by the end of the opening period. Their suffocating defence forced Atlanta into numerous turnovers, which the Grizzlies converted into easy fast-break opportunities.

The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm early, falling behind by as much as 24 points in the first half.

While Atlanta showed signs of life in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 15 points at one stage, Memphis always seemed to have an answer. The Grizzlies' depth was on full display, with seven players scoring in double figures. Their balanced attack and unselfish play proved too much for the Hawks to handle, as Memphis maintained a comfortable double-digit lead throughout the second half.

The stat sheet highlighted Memphis' dominance, particularly in two key areas. The Grizzlies shot a scorching 51.5% from the field, including an impressive 43.9% from beyond the arc. More tellingly, they dished out 35 assists compared to Atlanta's 29, showcasing their superior ball movement and team-oriented approach.

Desmond Bane led the charge for Memphis with a stellar all-around performance. The sharpshooting guard poured in 23 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three-point range. Bane's impact extended beyond scoring, as he added 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals, consistently making winning plays on both ends of the court.

Scotty Pippen Jr. continued his strong play, notching 22 points and nine assists in a starting role. The second-year guard, the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, has seized the opportunity presented by injuries in the Memphis backcourt, providing a steady hand at the point and demonstrating improved decision-making.

For Atlanta, De'Andre Hunter provided a silver lining with 26 points off the bench, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep pace with the Grizzlies' offensive onslaught. The loss drops the Hawks to 14-15 on the season, as they continue to hover around the .500 mark and the Eastern Conference playoff picture remains murky.

The Grizzlies, now 20-9, will look to extend their winning streak as they return home to face the Los Angeles Clippers (Game Centre) on Tuesday, December 24. With this convincing road victory, Memphis has sent a clear message that they remain a force to be reckoned with in the competitive Western Conference.

— Additional reporting basketball.com.au