Grizz battle Hawks at the Grindhouse

The Grizzlies (9-7) are winners of six out of the last seven. They are playing some of their basketball thus far. Meanwhile, the Hawks (10-7) have lost five of their last seven and look to bounce back against the Grizzlies. The Hawks has lost three of four against the Grizzlies, counting the last two at the Grindhouse.

 

Keys to a Grizzlies win

1) Marc Gasol has to be aggressive and prove why he is the best center in the league. Gasol has only three games in which he has scored 20 or more this season. I expect this game to be in that category of 20 or more. I also see a double double in his future!!

2) Zach Randolph will likely miss his fifth straight game. Either Matt Barnes or JaMychal Green will get the start in his place. I just don’t see how either can get Paul Millsap out of his game. Millsap is averaging 20.2 points and 10 rebounds in the last five games.

3) Defend the 3 point line. This goes without saying. The Grizz cannot let Kyle Korver  or any other player become hot from the three point line. Someone need to be all over him when he’s on the floor. Korver is shooting 54 percent from beyond the arc in the last five games.

4) Mike Conley needs to be aggressive against Jeff Teague. Mike just need to take over the game and get into the lane. Mike should have a very good assist night. In the last five games, Conley has averaged 20.8 points, 1.6 steals and six assists.

5) Jeff Green must continue to be aggressive and attack the basket. Green has averaged 14.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in the last five games. He’s been perfect at the free throw line as well. His ability to get to the line has been helpful to the team.

6) Courtney Lee please, please, please be aggressive. Lee was lights out against the Rockets in the Grizzlies 102-93 victory this past Wednesday night in Houston. Lee scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter.

7) Last season while playing for the Heat, Mario Chalmers averaged 17.8 points, 7.8 assists and 2.0 steals against the Hawks. Let’s hope he continues that trend against them tonight while he’s a member of the Grizzlies.

8) The Grindhouse need to be loud and in the game. The Grizzlies need the home crowd to be in it!! It should be like a playoff atmosphere. Fans not in attendance should hear the deafening sounds on their TV.

FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING, PLEASE DO NOT BREAK OUT INTO THE WAVE AGAIN!! I’D RATHER HEAR WHOOP THAT TRICK!!

This will be a hard fought game!! The Grizzlies cannot allow the Hawks leave the Grindhouse with a victory. The Grind to greatness continues tonight……

 

Tip Off

When: 7PM CST

Where: The Grindhouse aka The FedEx Forum

TV/Radio Broadcast: Fox SportSouth/92.9 FM ESPN

 

***Stats courtesy of ESPN***