Ty

Jerome

After a scorching start to the season, Jerome fell back to earth in this game. His shot simply didn’t fall at the same rate, though he made up for it by dishing out a season high for assists. Jerome has been unreal to start the season, but it was never likely that he would maintain that pace. However, he should be a fantastic fantasy option for the rest of the season and one of the best value picks in fantasy basketball.

For those who believed Jerome would cool off after scoring 73 points in the Grizzlies’ first two games, that didn’t happen on Sunday. He did most of his damage inside the arc, making 7 of 11 two-point attempts and shooting 14-for-14 from the foul line. Add in the assists, and it was another excellent night for those rostering Jerome, one of the best players in fantasy basketball so far. The Grizzlies play three games in Week 2, starting with the Jazz on Monday.

After scoring 45 points in Wednesday’s opener, Jerome appeared to be coming down to earth in the first half of Friday’s game. However, after scoring eight first-half points on 3-of-7 shooting, the Grizzlies point guard put up 14 points in the third quarter. Jerome and the Grizzlies ripped off a 17-0 run in the fourth to move to 2-0 on the season, getting their four-game road trip off to a good start.

Ty Jerome led this team in shot attempts and was very efficient. The Jazz had no way to stop him, and he was the reason that this game got out of hand so early in the second quarter. He got into the paint whenever he wanted and took advantage of Jaren Jackson being in foul trouble. While he likely won’t continue to lead the team in shot attempts, he could be in line for a big year that could result in him having a top 50 fantasy season.

Jerome has remained the starting point guard this preseason. While the Grizzlies should continue to play a deep rotation this year, Jerome averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 assists and 2.8 threes in 15 games last year while he only averaged 22.7 minutes. He should pay of his eighth-round cost in fantasy drafts without a significant minutes increase and would be a steal with additional minutes.

Jerome was excellent as the 29-year-old point guard gets ready for the regular season. In just 14 minutes, he had 16 points, four assists and four three-pointers. Jerome played only 15 games for Memphis last year, but averaged 19.7 points, 5.7 assists and 2.8 threes. He’s coming off the board in the eighth-round of fantasy drafts this year.

It’s notable that Jerome got the start over Scotty Pippen Jr. during Memphis’ preseason opener and he responded by pouring in 10 first-half points on 4-of-8 shooting as Memphis exploded for 82 points in an impressive opening half. It’s fair to wonder whether Jerome can build off his initial success with the Grizzlies last year when he averaged 19.7 points while shooting over 42 percent from three-point range after finally making his season debut in late January.

The Grizzlies will once again be without Spencer and Jerome, which limits their perimeter depth. Javon Small and Walter Clayton Jr. are questionable; they’ll be handling the playmaking responsibilities on Friday if available.

Jerome is set to miss his ninth consecutive game with a left ankle sprain. Walter Clayton Jr. had 10 points and 11 assists while Cam Spencer had nine points and nine assists in Jerome’s absence in Monday’s loss to the Cavaliers. That duo will continue to handle the point guard duties with Jerome still sidelined.

Jerome will miss an eighth consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle. Walter Clayton Jr. and Cam Spencer will handle the point guard responsibilities, as Javon Small is also out due to injury.