Grizzlies Playoffs Blog Panel by GrizzNation: Part 3

Members of GrizzNation have come together again to give their input regarding our beloved Grizzlies. Part 3 of the panel discussion begins now:

1) What are your thoughts on the Grizzlies’ performance in Game 2?

Martin: Great team win. Another smothering effort on defense. Grind Towels and t-shirts match the performance to the T. Grit and Grind.

Elizabeth: I expected Game 2 to go pretty much as it did. We knew Portland would come out with more fight than they had in Game 1. We also knew that the Grizz would respond. The big game from Courtney Lee was most definitely a welcome sight, as was the fact that Vinsanity seemed to have returned for a bit there. I, along with the rest of the Grindhouse, was hurt when Vince’s dunk didn’t go in, but was overall pleased that he got his shot back, hopefully for the remainder of the playoffs. I was a bit nervous in the first quarter, but hey, I’m a Grizz fan so that’s normal. Overall, I was pleased with the way the game went. I’m looking forward to seeing if that 50% from beyond the arc appears again in Game 3.

Jamar: I felt like the Grizzlies did exactly what we talked about in the last panel…they continued to play outstanding defense and they didn’t panic. Portland came out on fire. The Grizz took their best punches and countered and never looked back.

Lillard was once again being hounded the entire night. Pretty much every shot he took was tough and his field goal percentage shows that. He is shooting 27% in this series so far. As far as our offense goes, the ball is still moving freely.

And Lee did a great job of hitting his shots. As our team returns to full health…we are looking more and more like the team that was so dangerous at the beginning of the season. The confidence bug even hit Carter and he hit some timely shots. Major momentum breakers whenever Portland tried to make a run. Well all of our guys did at one point but I was happy to see Vince doing it because we definitely need him breaking out of his slump. His shooting wasn’t perfect but it’s a step in the right direction. That’s why he’s here..we need more of the same in future games as well. All in all I was impressed which leads me to the next question.

Jason: The Grizzlies got off to a pretty slow start and bad me worrying for a bit. But once they started making shots and playing relentless defense, the Blazers crumbled. They just looked one step ahead of the Blazers in almost every aspect of the game. The Grizz really took care of business on their home court, no doubt.

Kathy: I was delighted with the Grizzlies’ performance in Game 2. C Lee was on it and Vince Carter seemed to be hitting his stride. Game 2 should serve as a reminder to the Trail Blazers — and those who follow them! — that the Grizzlies have depth as well as heart and cannot be counted out even when our bigs are not hitting their shots. We got into our own rhythm and when that happens, we are virtually unstoppable!

Constance:  I think the whole team did a great job! Everyone seemed to be focused on what we needed to do to win the game. I was happy to see Vince break out and get some of his baskets to fall.

2) Marc & Zbo didn’t have a good shooting night in Game 2. Should this be a cause for concern?

Martin: No, it’s not a concern for me. We won the game without them playing great that is a good thing. I have supreme confidence that Marc and Zbo will get back to playing great ball during this post season. I was just glad to see our guards Courtney Lee and Mike Conley help out and take some of the load off our guys.

Elizabeth: Marc and Zbo were a combined 9/31 in Game 2. In itself, that was disappointing, but when they combined 25 points, 17 rebounds and 7 assists are taken into account, then it doesn’t look quite so bad. The fact that the team shot so well from 3 allowed the 9/31 to seem less obvious.

However, they have to adjust and shoot better in Game 3, which I have faith that they will. These are bruisers who will beat a team up inside. The Blazers are getting this in spades. Even when the bigs aren’t shooting well, they are pounding the Blazers and making life rough for them inside, helping to create open lanes for the guards to score when they themselves aren’t. Marc and Zbo are more likely than not to come out in Game 3 firing on all cylinders and helping lead the team to another victory.

Jamar: The team really impressed me. In years past, heck even this year during the regular season, whenever Zbo AND Marc have both struggled together, those games have quickly turned into blowout losses. Heck when one of them has struggled those games have turned into losses most of the time. So i was impressed to see other guys stepping up and picking up the slack. I’ve noticed that at times if our bigs are struggling, it affects the energy of the team as a whole. They didn’t how as much fight as they normally do.

But honestly in Game 2, I believe our team matured even more. Because it broke the trend. It proved to our team, fans and even naysayers that yes, Memphis is a balanced team. Shooting has always been our weakness. That’s why Lee, Carter and even Green were brought in.

Of course, I want our bigs to have great nights every night but I know that won’t happen. Zbo had only scored 2 points at halftime, yet we were still up by 11. That’s impressive. You can argue and say Portland is injured etc, but at the end of the day you still have to play the game. They came out strong and even had the lead at the end of the first quarter but our guys rallied and kept fighting.

So I’m not concerned yet. I fully expect both Marc and Zbo to bounce back. They seem to excel when in hostile territory. They love quieting the fans of opposing teams. I’m more proud than concerned. This team will fight through adversity. They will rally around each other and pick up the slack of their teammate if needed…and if someone is having a bad shooting night, they will help the team in other ways. That’s the major difference between our team and Portland. Lillard has been shooting the ball horribly, but he hasn’t made up for it in other ways yet…a couple of rebounds, a couple of assists. That’s it.

Marc and Zbo had a bad shooting night…so they focused on rebounding and getting assists and even getting to the line, while Lee and others focused on picking up the scoring slack. A very positive sign. I’m trying to stick to the one game at a time thing but it’s hard not to get excited about this team when they are all clicking. But I’m not looking past Portland yet.

Jason: Marc and Zbo were not their usual selves in Game 2, but I would expect them to get back to their grit and grind, ground-and-pound style play in this game and look to be aggressive from the start. When both of them are defending well, the Grizz as a team are usually defending well. And when both of them are playing well and sharing the ball well with one another, the Grizz are a really hard team to beat.

Kathy: This would be a cause for concern if it became a pattern. It’s important to remember that, even when Marc and Zbo’s shots aren’t falling, they’re having an impact on the court. Because they’re so dangerous, they must be a focus for any opponent’s defense. This frees other players to take shots they might not otherwise get. Because the Grizzlies play true TEAM basketball, we can absorb performances like those we got from Marc and Zbo in Game 2.

Constance: I’m not worried about Zach nor Marc. Both performed well enough, and at the right time to get the win! Game 2 was an overall team win. The effort was there from every player!

3) Grizzlies have a 2-0 lead. What are the keys to beating the Blazers in Game 3?

Martin: Key to beating Portland in Game 3 is to continue out working them. Continue to play great defense. Play inside out I think we have a chance to sweep the Blazers.

Elizabeth: The key to beating the Blazers in Game 3 is persistence. Grizz must continue to defend well and keep shooting well from beyond the arc. Don’t allow the home crowd to become a factor. Keep the home crowd quiet, put their foot on the Blazers throat, and keep grinding.

Jamar: The key is more of the same. Stick with what’s working until Portland forces you to change it up. Continue moving the ball around. Continue giving Beno the freedom to shoot. And of course continue playing that tough defense. Continue to hound Lillard. If he has a hard time scoring he will shut down again. And once again Aldridge can’t do it by himself. This is Portland’s first home game of the series. So their fans are going to be rowdy. There’s nothing like coming home to play in front of your home crowd. The Grizz have been in the same situation as Portland before. Returning home down 0-2, only to rally and win 4 straight to win the series. So Portland will come out with even more fight in Game 3.

We thought they started out hot in Game 2, I expect them to get off to an even quicker start in Game 3. So the key is to once again stay calm and play our game. Take their best punch and then counter and fight back. Get  our bigs going early and allow them to dominate inside. That will continue to open up our mid-range and 3 point game. And of course forcing turnovers will lead to a lot of easy baskets. Things we loved in the first 2 games. We CANNOT take this team lighty though. We can’t come out with lackluster effort. We have to keep that high level of intensity and put them out of their misery early. Game 3 is a pivotal game. Momentum will take a huge shift if they win. But if we win, that should take all of the wind out of their sails. I’m definitely expecting this game to be closer than the first 2 games.

Jason:  In order to maintain the momentum, the Grizz will have to keep doing what they’ve been doing so far in this series. They need to keep playing tremendous defense (especially on Aldridge and Lillard). They also could really use a big time shooting night from the backcourt again. Hopefully Carter, Lee, Udrih, and Conley will all be able to knock down quite a few shots and silence the Portland crowd.

Kathy: I expect Game 3 to be tough. Not only is Portland going to be acutely aware of its 2-0 deficit, but we’ll be playing on their home court. It’s no Grindhouse, but any arena packed with loyal, screaming fans has to be tough for the visitors. We’ll need a laser focus on playing OUR game and making the Trail Blazers do the same. No one is better at Grit and Grind basketball than the Grizzlies!

I’d like to see better offensive production from Marc and Zbo, Tony Allen’s omnipresent boisterousness unnerving the Blazers, and playoff level performances from Courtney Lee and Vince Carter. If we can continue to keep down our turnovers, while forcing the Blazers to cough up the ball, I believe we’ll have a resounding victory. Game 3 is going to be really important; we can’t let the Blazers come up for air. We must hit the court with high energy and determination, keeping our feet on their necks from the start. I stand by my prediction from before the playoffs began: Grizzlies in four!

Constance: The key to winning is to remain focused. Each player needs to do their job . Play good tight defense, rotate to the ball, and take the open shot!! We will be good if the focus is there. This is not the time to have a let down. Go, Grizzlies!!!