Grizzlies Vs. Nets: Can We Start the Bidding At No Overtime?
Two days after the Memphis Grizzlies defeated Phoenix in overtime, they head into Brooklyn to face the ‘For Sale’ Nets. Tonight’s game will air on SportSouth at 6:30pm from the Barclays Center. If you catch yourself driving, don’t forget to tune in to 92.9 ESPN to hear the call.
The Brooklyn Nets head into tonight’s game on a 6 game losing streak that culminated with a Kevin Garnett ejection in their 113-99 loss against Houston on Monday, followed by an announcement Tuesday that sources had confirmed the team is going on the open marketplace. Garnett is suspended for tonight’s game after head-butting Dwight Howard (you know you want to high-five him for doing it). Deron Williams will not play due to a rib injury; the Nets will continue to start Jarrett Jack in his place.
Despite the Nets rough January they have seen solid performances from their Center, Mason Plumlee, who averaged 14.7 pts through their losses and recorded 3 double-doubles. I expect his time to be shared with Brook Lopez in tonight’s game. Brook’s athleticism against Marc inside could give the Nets opportunities down low and Lionel Hollins is going put his big guys to work against Marc and Zach. The Grizzlies will also have to work defensively to keep Joe Johnson, the Nets leading scorer, under wraps. Johnson is averaging 16.4 ppg on the season and will spend time working beyond the arc. Johnson has taken an average of 6 three’s per game in the Nets 6 losses but has only shot 33.3%; still higher than his team’s average at 22.9%, despite shooting an average of 21.8 3’s a game. The Grizzlies will have to be certain they don’t leave the 3 point line open and give the Nets a chance to bolster their poor shooting percentage. Hollins is going to have to use every trick in his book to move the Nets home record from 8-12 to 9-12 against this Grizzlies team.
The Grizzlies are headed into tonight’s game on the wake of a trade that saw the exit of Tayshaun Prince and Quincy Pondexter. In return, we can expect to see Jeff Green suit up in Number 32 and take the court. At this point I don’t know if Coach Joerger will start Green, as this will most likely lead to Allen coming off the bench. I am excited to see if Green’s athleticism pays off and hoping that his shots will fall. His presence could stretch the floor the way the Grizzlies have desperately needed it to be stretched all season.
I expect Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph to both have big games in the wake of Kevin Garnett’s suspension. The Nets biggest problem is going to be containing the Grizzlies big men. Although the Grizzlies big men always shine, our floor general should also have the opportunity to continue to showcase his All-Star worthy play. Mike Conley is going up against a back-up point guard in Jack and has without question been proving his worth in this point guard position. He boasted 25 points in Sunday’s win over the Suns, shooting 57% from beyond the arc, leading to 50% shooting for the night. Mike’s 3’s are going to come in handy tonight against the Nets to drive the score up. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the Grizzlies won’t want to repeat last season’s series against the Nets where they went 0-2, especially when that means losing to their previous coach.
I want to see our guys pull out this win and while I am all about some free basketball, I’d prefer we close this one out in regulation.
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- Grizzlies Out Hustle Rockets and Head to Dallas - October 24, 2017
- The Grizzlies are Backed Into A Corner: Spurs Win Game 5 - April 26, 2017
- Memphis at San Antonio: Grizzlies Did Not Layeth the Smacketh Down - March 25, 2017
