Getting the Band Back Together Again: Sounds vs. Knicks Preview
Tonight the Memphis Grizzlies have another Hardwood Classics Night and will hit the court in their retro Memphis Sounds uniforms to face the New York Knicks. The Grizzlies (22-19) will be looking to get a win against the Knicks (20-21) in game number 5 of the 6 game home stand. The Grizzlies have won 3 of the 4 games already played in the season’s longest home stand. After a thrilling win on a circus shot from Mario Chalmers on Thursday, the Grizzlies are looking to add another mark under the W column as they don their Sounds uniforms. What are the keys to a Sounds victory?
Continue to Cultivate the Renewal of Grit and Grind
Fans of the Grizzlies have seen a recent resurgence of the grit and grind style that they’ve grown to love. Sunday’s game started horribly. Fans, however, got to see a resurgence of Grizzlies of old scratch and claw their way to victory. Thursday’s game saw the Grizzlies collapse in the first part of the 4th quarter after building a nice lead that they eventually lost after a crazy run by the Pistons. Unfortunately, that was kind of Grizzlies of old too. Fans once again saw a scratching and clawing Grizzlies team get the win after championship proven Mario Chalmers gave them back to back clutch plays, including 3 made FT attempts on a fouled 3 point shot to tie the game and a circus shot to win the game. The best Grizzlies wins are heart pounders like those. The best Grizzlies win aren’t pretty but gritty. The Grizzlies need to continue to let their defense set the pace for their offense. Grit and Grind is bigger than a style of play. It’s a mindset. It says keep grinding even if this team is younger and shooting better than you. It says keep fighting though the odds are stacked against you. Hopefully, everyone is embracing it again.
Be Ready No Matter Who Plays
Carmelo Anthony is doubtful for tonight’s game. Kristap Porzingis, who was once questionable, is now probable for tonight’s game. The Knicks have had rest. Their last game was on Wednesday night. Anthony didn’t play on Wednesday because of a sprained ankle. Porzingis was added to the injury list after that game with a sore shoulder. Both are vital to the Knicks success. Anthony is averaging 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists this season. Porzingis is averaging 14 points, 8 rebounds and 1 assist in his rookie season.
The Grizzlies have to anticipate that Porzingis will be good to go for the Knicks, even if Anthony isn’t. As Mike Conley continues to nurse a sore Achilles, they also have to anticipate that they will play another game without their starting point guard. Every player in a Sounds uniform has to be ready to contribute when their number is called on both ends.
Use the Background Noise as Motivation
Jeff Green was benched during the 2nd half of Tuesday night’s loss to the Houston Rockets. He wasn’t injured; it was simply Coach Dave Joerger’s decision. In addition to that, it has been reported that allegedly an important member of the Grizzlies locker room also was seemingly disappointed in Jeff Green’s play and was allegedly vocal about it that night. Add to that the ever present Twitter bashings and trade chatter of Jeff Green, and then Coach Joerger inserts Zach Randolph back into the starting lineup on Thursday and brings Green off the bench. Jeff Green goes on to score 16 points on 6/10 shooting, with 4 rebounds and 1 assist in 26 minutes of play. This was markedly better than games 2 (Boston…yes, his old team) and 3 (Houston) of the home stand, and the same amount of points that he scored in game 1 (Denver) of the home stand in 35 minutes. The Grizzlies need Jeff Green to be consistent and productive on both ends of the floor tonight. If a 24 minute benching, a movement back to the 2nd unit, Twitter bashings from couch coaches, and trade rumors can bring about that result, so be it.
As the Locker Room Turns…
This will be the first time that the Grizzlies and Knicks have faced each other since the alleged incident between Matt Barnes and Knicks head coach Derrick Fisher in October. Barnes, who has served a 2 game suspension for his alleged altercation with Knicks Coach Fisher, has been quoted this week as saying that when he retires he and Derrick Fisher will cross paths again. Barnes was 6/6 from the 3 point line in Thursday night’s victory. Hopefully, Matt Barnes didn’t shoot all his threes for the week in that Thursday night game. With any luck, Barnes can turn that angst into some great defense and some tremendous offense against the Knicks.
Tonight’s game should be fun. In addition to watching the Grizzlies don their Memphis Sounds uniforms, the first 4,000 fans get the first of 4 pieces in Mount Grizzmore, which is a pretty cool representation of Mount Rushmore using the Grizzlies Core Four (Allen, Gasol, Randolph, Conley). The Tony Allen piece will be given away tonight. So, put on your Memphis Sounds or Memphis Grizzlies gear and head down to the Forum early so that you can get your Tony Allen piece of Mount Grizzmore. Let’s get ready to cheer the home team to victory in the 5th game of the 6 game home stand. The home team needs your support. Go Grizz!
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- Grizzlies win fifth straight, defeat Warriors 122-102 - January 13, 2020
