The more Mario Chalmers plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, the more it seems getting traded from Miami might be the best thing that’s happened to his career since LeBron James showed up in South Beach.
Currently a starter for Memphis — in place of injured Mike Conley the past four games — all the former Kansas star did Thursday night was turn out game-highs in minutes (42), points (25), assists (8) and steals (4).
Oh, yeah. And Chalmers hit the game-winning shot against Detroit.
After another ‘Hawk in the NBA, the Pistons’ Marcus Morris, had the ball stripped on the opposite end of the floor, it ended up in Chalmers’ hands with the fourth-quarter clock quickly making its way toward 0:00 with the game tied at 101, in Memphis.
Morris and Pistons guard Brandon Jennings nearly swiped the ball from Chalmers at the top of the key before the Grizzlies guard retrieved it off the floor and, in the same continuous motion, got off an awkward jumper that beat the buzzer and gave Memphis a wild, last-second win over the visiting Pistons.
. @mchalmers15 writes an essay using this format FOR THE WIN: First, Next, Then, Finally. pic.twitter.com/yBlml5c4Aa
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 15, 2016
> “I just seen it, and I was able to get
> to it and get to my good spot and
> release it on time,” Chalmers told FOX
> Sports Southeast after hitting the
> improbable shot.
Chalmers embraced his new role with Memphis, as a score-first backup guard, [which helped him get over the Heat trading him away][1], and has carried that over into his temporary starting role, while Conley rests a sore left achilles tendon.
In his past 5 games, Chalmers has played 30-plus minutes an outing and averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.2 steals, while shooting 41.2% from the floor and 10-for-28 from 3-point range (35.7%).
The Grizzlies are 3-1 with Chalmers in the starting lineup, with wins over Detroit, Boston and Denver, and a loss to Houston. Memphis (22-19) currently has the 6th-best record in the Western Conference.
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*- Keep up with the production of all the ‘Hawks in the NBA [daily at KUsports.com][2]*
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*- [Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter][3]*
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/dec/14/mario-chalmers-receives-heros-welcome-in/
[2]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/mens_basketball/hawks_nba/
[3]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith
