The 1995–96 NBA season was the Grizzlies' first season in the National Basketball Association.[1] The Vancouver Grizzlies, along with the Toronto Raptors became expansion NBA franchises in 1995. They were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since 1946–47's Toronto Huskies. Under head coach Brian Winters, the Grizzlies got off to a solid start stunning the Portland Trail Blazers on the road 92–80 on November 3. Two nights later on November 5, the Grizzlies had a successful home debut at General Motors Place by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 100–98. Despite the start, they struggled and lost their next 19 games, then suffered a dreadful 23-game losing streak in the second half of the season. The Grizzlies finished last place in the Midwest Division with an NBA worst record of 15 wins and 67 losses.
Only four Grizzlies averaged 10 or more points per game, as Greg Anthony led the way with 14.0 points per game. Top draft pick Bryant Reeves was selected to the All-Rookie Second Team. In games against the other Canadian expansion team, the Grizzlies and the Raptors split two games.[2] Following the season, Byron Scott re-signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Gerald Wilkins signed with the Orlando Magic.
Offseason
NBA Expansion Draft
The Grizzlies roster was filled during the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft. By way of winning a coin flip with the Toronto Raptors, Vancouver elected to choose the former, between a higher NBA Draft pick and the first pick in the NBA Expansion Draft, and therefore had the second pick in this draft. With their first pick, the Grizzlies selected point guardGreg Anthony from the New York Knicks.
Forward Jeff Turner was acquired from the Orlando Magic at midseason, but did not play for the Grizzlies due to a knee injury.
First game
On November 3, 1995, Vancouver played their first ever game in Portland against the Trail Blazers and beat the Blazers by a score of 92–80. Benoit Benjamin scored a team high 29 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
Regular season
Although they won their first two games in franchise history, the Grizzlies finished with the worst win/loss record in the 1995–96 NBA season, as is typical for an expansion team, and lost 23 straight games from February to April (setting an NBA single-season record now held by the Philadelphia 76ers with 27.)
Highs
On November 3, 1995, Vancouver plays their first ever game, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 92–80 in Portland. On November 5, 1995, the Grizzlies make their home debut, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 100–98 in overtime in front of 19,113 fans, to begin the season with a 2–0 record.
The Grizzlies defeat nearby rivals the Seattle SuperSonics by a single point in a hotly contested game on December 19, 1995. The crowd leaves ecstatic.
The Grizzlies hold the Miami Heat to only 65 points in a 69–65 victory on January 13, 1996.
After starting the season 2–0, Vancouver would lose their next 19 games to quickly fall into last place in the Midwest Division.
Vancouver was held to a season low 62 points in a 111–62 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on November 8, 1995.
On December 10, 1995, the Grizzlies play the Toronto Raptors for the first time. The first NBA regular season game contested between two non-U.S. based teams. The game is held at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93–81.
On April 2, 1996, Vancouver loses its 23rd straight game, losing 101–85 to the Portland Trail Blazers. The loss was also the Grizzlies 29th in their last 30 games.
United States
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