Deprived of Ja Morant, the Grizzlies nevertheless managed to win Game 2 against the Lakers on Wednesday night. In particular, they were able to count on a collective effort, but a player that we did not necessarily expect came to light. Indeed, the best scorer of the evening on the Memphis side is called… Xavier Tillman !
“It’s obviously a big win for us” enjoys Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins. “It’s a great performance from him, from the other guys too”.
The best performance of his career
After a complicated first game finished with 2 points, Xavier Tillman responded with style in the second game: 22 points and 13 rebounds at 10/13 shooting! It’s a career scoring record for the Memphis center.
“I was trying to impose myself” explained Xavier Tillman. “Watching the video session of the first game, I didn’t really impose myself. I did what had to be done. The manager has mentioned in a few meetings the urgency with which we have to play. So I felt that I needed to increase my energy level and be more willful and aggressive”.
A big fan of LeBron James, he therefore achieved the best performance of his career against his idol, during a playoff match. Xavier Tillman is also the symbol of the density of the Tennessee group, since he “benefits” from the absences for injury of Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke in the interior sector.
Significant absences that pushed the former Michigan State to center stage.
“It’s the sign of a winner” concluded Taylor Jenkins. “It’s the sign of a professional, and that’s why we love him, he’s a guy who always stays ready. He wants to have an impact on the win, whatever his role..
| Xavier Tillman, Sr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2020-21 | SAME | 59 | 18 | 55.9 | 33.8 | 64.2 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 6.6 |
| 2021-22 | SAME | 53 | 13 | 45.4 | 20.4 | 64.8 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 4.8 |
| 2022-23 | SAME | 61 | 19 | 61.4 | 26.7 | 55.1 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 7.0 |
| Total | 173 | 17 | 55.2 | 27.9 | 60.6 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 6.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
