Bears in the Big Apple – Grizz vs Knicks Preview

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Elizabeth Smith

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Who: Memphis Grizzlies Vs New York Knicks

When: Friday, February 5^th at 6:30pm CST

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York

How to Watch/Listen: Fox Sports Southeast, ESPN 92.9 Memphis

Tonight your Memphis Grizzlies take on the New York Knicks in the iconic Madison Square Garden. The Grizz are now standing at 29-20 in the West while the Knicks are at 23-29 in the East. The Grizz are 8-2 in their last 10 games while the Knicks are 3-7.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of an uncharacteristic scoring run. They have shot 60.6%, a season high for the Grizz, on their way to their 10^th win in the last 12 games. The Grizz have won 5 in a row during this run.

The Knicks have lost three straight games coming into tonight, including a 105-111 loss yesterday to Detroit. They have lost 7 of their past 8 games.

The last time these two teams met, the Grizzlies took a 103-95 victory in The Grindhouse. In that game, Mike Conley didn’t play due to a sore left Achilles. Carmelo Anthony was also out for the Knicks with a sprained right ankle. This previous meeting saw Marc Gasol score 37 points and set personal career highs in field goal attempts (29) and makes (15). Jeff Green also came up big with 18 points, Mario Chalmers tallied 12 filling in for the injured Conley, and Zach Randolph had 14.

Matt Barnes is listed as questionable tonight with a pulled hamstring, but Coach Joerger says he expects Barnes to play. Barnes vs Derek Fisher Round 2 will hopefully go as the last meeting did; a Grizzlies victory. Carmelo Anthony is listed as out for the Knicks with his ankle injury. Lance Thomas is also out for the Knicks while he goes through NBA concussion protocol. The Knicks will likely start a lineup of Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, Arron Afflalo, Kristaps Porzingis, and Robin Lopez. Memphis will likely start their tried and true lineup of Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol.

Marc Gasol must perform in Wendigooooooo mode. In their last meeting, Gasol showed the world what he is capable of. In addition to his 37 points, he also had eight rebounds, three assists, and 3 blocks. This is the Marc Gasol we need to see tonight…and every other night!

The Grizzlies will be wearing their baby blue alternates tonight, per Rob Fischer.

The @memgrizz in baby blues at The World's Most Famous Arena tonight. They'll pass the King on the way to the floor pic.twitter.com/jiQml7Vklm

— Rob Fischer (@thefishnation) February 5, 2016