Tuomas Iisalo Identifies Grizzlies' Biggest Defensive Issues After Bulls Win

Memphis Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo listed rim protection, defensive rotations, and defensive rebounding as the areas his team still has to clean up after a 104-100 preseason win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night at the United Center.

The Grizzlies are 2-1 in the preseason. They have given up 123 points to the Atlanta Hawks, 122 to the Orlando Magic, and 100 to Chicago.

Iisalo said Memphis had good pace for most of Friday's game, and he said the effort has been there.

"Then there's certain situations that we still need to improve, like rim protection, our rotations," Iisalo said after the game, in video from Grind City Media. "That's really the synchronizing all five players. If somebody gets beat, who rotates into that spot, who rotates, who helps that guy. And defensive rebound — in those two areas, stick out as two things we got to do a better job."

"Overall, we're taking big steps forward, and I think we — these three games were very valuable for us overall," Iisalo continued. "Not just, not just from the fact that it mimics and guys got kind of used to it right here, but also because of the aforementioned reps that we got from three different types of teams."

Chicago outrebounded Memphis 43-40. Leonard Miller had 11 rebounds for the Bulls to go with 12 points. The Bulls shot 37.5% from the field, and Norman Powell went 10-of-12 at the free-throw line on his way to 17 points.

Isaiah Stewart left the Oct. 5 opener in Atlanta with an ankle injury. Iisalo said before Friday's game that Stewart is dealing with a moderate sprain of his left ankle, with a reevaluation set for two weeks out.

Zach Edey played 16 minutes and had 1 block. In 11 games last season, Edey averaged 1.9 blocks. As a rookie, he averaged 1.3 blocks over 66 games.

Memphis put up 30 points in both the first and second quarters, led 60-50 at the break, and stretched the lead to 14.

Ty Jerome and Cameron Boozer sat the second half. Iisalo called it a difficult situation for the players who took over.

"I thought we didn't play well in the beginning of the third," Iisalo explained. "And one of the things that really bothered us in the second half — I think we had four turnovers in the first half and things were very much in our control, and then second half, 18 turnovers."

The official total was 21 turnovers. The Grizzlies also had 25 assists, made 10 of their 31 3-point attempts, and shot 47% overall.

Chicago scored 32 points in the third quarter. Caleb Wilson, who had 1 point at halftime, scored 12 in that period on his way to a game-high 21. He went 5-of-11 from 3-point range.

His 3-pointer with 55 seconds remaining made it 102-100. The Bulls missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer, and Javon Small sealed it with two free throws at 0.7 seconds.

Iisalo was glad Memphis hung around in the second half.

"In the end, it was great to see [Jahmai Mashack] and [Olivier-Maxence Prosper] make a great defensive play there," Iisalo said. "Very well communicated switch, and then a great contest from [Prosper] without fouling, exactly what we needed."

"And really, really also satisfied that we got second game in a row, got these late game reps," Iisalo added. "These are very valuable for our younger guys."

The Magic beat Memphis 122-118 on Oct. 7. Against Atlanta two nights earlier, the Grizzlies scored 49 points in the second quarter.

Memphis went 25-57 last season.

The Charlotte Hornets come to FedExForum on Oct. 16 to close the preseason. The Utah Jazz open the regular season in Memphis on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. CT.