Battle Grizz vs Jazz

“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” NWA. Last night’s match-up against the Utah Jazz was a battle straight outta Compton. Both sides came ready to play with all weapons drawn, and a score to settle.

Utah has proven to be a  tough match due to very similar playing styles. Memphis is the number 1 defensive team in the league, and Utah ranks right behind in spot number 2. Both teams play very slow paced ball. Utah also leads the leagues in rebounds grabbed. We have Z-Bo and Big Spain, Utah has the Stifle Tower Rudy Gobert.

Mike Conley was a last minute scratch citing a right foot sprain, and Tony Allen remained in Memphis rehabilitating the hamstring. For the 10th time this season the start went to Beno Udrih. Udrih claimed the number two spot behind Conley last year after Nick Calathes was suspended, and hasn’t relinquished it since. “Beno Udrih has a good record for us as a starter, hopefully that will continue,” quipped Dave Joerger.  With Udrih at the helm the Grizz have gone 8-2.

Beno Udrih is a known to provide energy off the bench, and to provide playmaking. While Beno is not known for passing the ball, Memphis doesn’t need to rely on the point guard to generate assists.  Udrih, who is the best mid-range jump shooter in the league, put up 9-13 shooting, going 2-2 from the arc, and finishing with 20 points 4 rebounds.

Speaking of the arc, Memphis has remained at a deficit at the perimeter since Courtney Lee sustained a right hand sprain shortly after the All-Star Break. At Lee’s first three against the Pelicans, I called his return. Seriously, I called into ESPN radio and called Lee’s return to hot. Then Lee did what I’ve been waiting for since his Memphis debut, he slammed. When Courtney is confident, he’s hot. When Lee throws down 3 or more from the perimeter, Memphis is 21-3. Lee also performs best on the road. While his shooting had been lackluster post break due to injury, Lee has made up for in defensive prowess. Memphis has struggled in defending the perimeter, Tony Allen is only one man, Lee started his run of stellar defense against the Rockets, shutting down James Harden. Last night was no exception, except for Lee was offensively on fire. While Jeff Green struggled against Hayward, Courtney Lee shut him down. Lee finished with 15, but his defensive stops, specifically in the last 5 minutes of play, were integral to the win. “We were a little stagnant, refs were late on calls, that confused us, but we didn’t pout. We came together, showed character and poise, ” Lee said.

Jeff Green, who is ultimately the best trade made in the league, has found his rhythm as a Grizzly. He is a master at using his athleticism to posterize opponents. Jeff Green is comfortable, now that his role has been defined. He knows his mission, and is always ready to deploy. Green has been suffering from back spasms, and exited the floor in the first quarter. After treatment in the locker room, green was able to return in the second quarter. Although he had difficulty defending Hayward, he did pull out some big stops. Green had a key steal with a minute thirty-two remaining in the fourth quarter that lead to two back to back Grizz possessions. Supreme Jeff Green finished the ball game with 12.

Utah utilized a swarm defense, literally using a hive mentality in an attempt to shut down the Grizzlies. The Jazz scored 15 off of Memphis turnovers and out rebounded the Grizz in the paint. Rookie Rodney Hood put up an impressive 18. Gobert recorded his 22nd double-double 14 pts, and 14 rebounds. The Stifle Tower is third in the league in blocked shots, and had 3 last night, but not THE block. Gordon Hayward put up 27, but not the one needed to put the game into overtime.

Zach Randolph was in full beast mode. “It’s grind day from Friday to next Friday, I been up straight for nine days, I need a spa day.” -Jay Z. Somebody get Randolph a spa day! Z-Bo was akin to a freight train last night, moving opponents with pure force, often with a Jazz player attached to each limb. Randolph is the linebacker of big men, and feeds off physical play. When Zach is focused, he is unstoppable. He is also fiercely protective of his clique, heaven help anyone that trespasses. While Zach is always the traffic guard in the paint, this season has seen him pulling out of the lane, and shooting from spots not directly under the basket. He’s even thrown down two from beyond half court. He is not a man to be trifled with, our bear is a beast, he will eat you alive. However, sometimes you have to know when to fold em’, know when to walk away. In a season trend, after a disputed loose ball foul assigned to Randolph, the Bear argued vehemently in his defense. Although given ample time to walk away, Randolph continued to protest, and in return was gifted a technical foul. The building momentum of the third quarter shifted, and Utah went on a run. Zach also recorded a double double for the evening posting 14 points, 10 rebounds.

The third quarter Trevor Booker picked up a technical as well. Vince Carter, who the previous 4 games had 10 or more points, and was shooting over 50% from three 12-22, mailed in two air balls from the arc. Beno Udrih also forgot his postage stamp from the perimeter and aired mailed the ball to the Jazz.

The fourth quarter though y’all. Big Spain came out of hibernation hungry. Any remnant of uncertainty, or doubt, has been relinquished. For the opening minutes of the fourth for every Jazz bucket, Marc Gasol had a resounding answer. Memphis went on a 16-4 run, and the Jazz hands hadn’t scored since the 4:42 mark. With 2.9 left in the ball game, and Memphis leading by 3,  the Jazz threw up an air ball. The resulting rebound by Zach Randolph ensued a fight for possession, and the calling for a jump ball. With .1 seconds on the clock Gordon Hayward threw up a Hail Mary 3, that was gloriously, and with authority, blocked by Marc Gasol. It would’ve been over. It should’ve been over. The ball was out of bounds, the clock had run out. And then the whistle blew for the foul on Gasol. Disbelief ran rampant from the Grizz bench. Dave Joerger came close to a technical. And Gordon Hayward made his way to the charity strip for 3. He knocked down the first two, the third was rebounded by Marc Gasol who roared in triumph.

The Grizzlies win retains the second spot in the Western Conference, and still leading the Southwest Division. The Rockets loss to San Antonio dropped them a full game behind the Grizzlies, and to the number 6 seed. It pushed San Antonio to the third seed, half a game behind the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies at this point win the tie breaker with both the Rockets, and the Spurs. The Ball don’t lie.