What happened: Grayson Allen scored 19 first-half points on 7-for-8 shooting, anchoring an efficient offensive start. He converted five of his six 3-point attempts, punctuated by a deep make from well beyond the arc. The perimeter surge paced the scoring across the first two quarters.

Why it matters: The shooting display continues a strong run of early-season marksmanship for Allen, who previously went 3-for-3 from deep earlier in the month. High-volume floor spacing forces opposing perimeter defenders into tighter closeouts, creating interior driving lanes.

What to watch: Allen aims to sustain his perimeter efficiency into the second half as defensive coverage adjusts.