Grizz Look to Put Kings in Check – Grizzlies vs Kings Preview

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Who:  Memphis Grizzlies vs Sacramento Kings

Where:  FedEx Forum, Memphis

When:  Saturday, January 30th at 7pm CST

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

 

The Grizz take on the Sacramento Kings tonight in The Grindhouse.  This is the second meeting of the season for these two teams, the first being a November 3rd meeting in Sleep Train Arena where the Grizz thumped the Kings to the tune of 103-89, but the Kings played without DeMarcus Cousins.  This was the night after that 50-point drumming the Grizz suffered at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, so the Grizz came out to prove something.  They seemed to have discovered their defensive identity in the Kings game, but then lost it in translation somewhere with lineup changes, etc…

Probable Grizz starters are Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Courtney Lee, and Mike Conley.  Probable Kings starters are Omri Casspi, DeMarcus Cousins, Willie Cauley-Stein, Ben McLemore, and Rajon Rondo.  Former Grizzly Rudy Gay is probable for tonight’s game after missing two games for the Kings with a corneal abrasion in his left eye suffered in their 2OT loss vs Charlotte on January 25th.

The Grizz are currently 27-20 and on a 2 game winning streak and playing some of their best ball of the season, winning 6-7 and 11-12 in the Grindhouse.  The Kings are 20-26 and riding a 3 game losing streak into tonight’s game.  The Kings have lost their last 10 trips to the Grindhouse and the Grizzlies will be looking to extend that streak tonight to 11.  This game is a big deal to Sacramento, as they are currently only one game out of 8th place in the West, so they will be eager to get back on track and gain some ground in the playoff race.  The Grizzlies are 6th in defense, allowing 98.7ppg while the Kings are 3rd in offense, averaging 106.3ppg, so this game will be a battle of wills.

Notes:

*The Grizz are shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc and allowing opposing teams to shoot 35.6%.  The Kings are shooting 35.9% from deep and allowing 35.4%.

*Boogie Cousins has been great this season so far. He is averaging 27.2ppg, 11.2rpg, 2.9apg, 1.29spg, and 1.37bpg.  In his last game he had 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 5 blocks.  He is currently 3rd in the NBA in ppg and 4th in rebounding.  He was just named an NBA All-Star for the second year in a row.  Cousins has something to prove and plays like it.

*Marc Gasol is currently averaging 21.5ppg, 6.2rbg, 4.2asg, and 1.67blg in the past 6 games.  This season he is netting 16.6ppg, 7.2rpg, and 3.8apg.  Can our own Marc Gasol answer the challenge tonight against the Kings?

*Zach Randolph went off in the last meeting with Sacramento.  He had 20 points and 11 boards for the Grizz and helped lead them to victory.  Can he do this tonight?  I’ll be wearing my #50 For The City Tee and cheering him on.

*Rajon Rondo is getting back to the Rondo of old lately.  He is averaging 11.8ppg, 6.5rpg, 11.9apg, and 1.70spg this season.  He is currently ranked 1st in assists per game and also 1st in total assists.  Per the NBA, he has dished out 15 or more assists 13 times this season and dished 20 assists twice in a game. Mike Conley is averaging 6 assists per game.  This will be a challenge for Conley, who is having a tough season so far.

*There’s also this…

*It’s NBA Fit Night in Memphis.  The first 5000 fans tonight at the game will receive a pedometer.

*The Item of the Game in the Grizz Den is this Grizz logo snapback.

 

Next Up:  Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans

Where:  Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

When:  Monday, February 1st at 7pm CST

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

 

**stats via NBA.com**

Elizabeth Smith

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