Grizzlies' Marc Gasol needs to play better

Marc Gasol needs to play better and bigger than he has this season.

The statistics don’t do the 7-footer any favors.

Gasol averaged 39 percent over the Grizzlies’ past 10 games, and that was about his clip during an 11-game losing streak that ended Dec. 4.

Memphis will try to get back on track Friday night against the Toronto Raptors after losing to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Their victory Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves ended an 11-game slide. 

A glance at the statistics aren't friendly to Gasol.

Over his past 10 games, in which the Grizzlies have lost nine of 10, the Grizzlies center shot 39 percent. He’s made four of 11 three-point attempts in five games since former coach David Fizdale was fired on Nov. 27.

“It’s a conversation that we had,” interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We still want him to shoot 3's because he can stretch the floor. One of the things we talked about and the changes we’ve made is putting him on the post more. We’re playing through the post more. We’ve got to find that balance.”