Hawks Sink Their Talons Into Grizzlies : Grizz VS Hawks Recap

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Memphis came into this game at 9-7 (4th in the Western Conference) and on a 2 game win streak while Atlanta came in at 10-7 (7th in the Eastern Conference) and looking to get back on the winning track after having lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.  Memphis had the usual injury/inactive report, with Jordan Adams, Jarell Martin, Zach Randolph and Brandan Wright out (James Ennis on the inactive list).  Atlanta held out Thabo Sefolosha and Tiago Splitter as a precautionary measure.  Starters for Memphis were Jeff Green, Matt Barnes, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley.  Starters for Atlanta were Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Al Horford, Kent Bazemore, and Jeff Teague.

Russ Smith pregame

Russ Smith pregame

 

Coach Bob Thornton works with JaMychal Green pregame

Coach Bob Thornton works with JaMychal Green pregame

 

JaMychal Green and Marc Gasol pregame

JaMychal Green and Marc Gasol pregame

 

Notes:

*Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore returned to their starting lineup after missing 5 games with a right ankle sprain.  Before his injury, Bazemore was averaging 12 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.  In 26:21 Bazemore went 5-9 from the field (2-5 from 3) for 14 points.

*Jeff Green had the first basket of the game but then proceeded to have a pretty pedestrian night from there.  He played 31:04 and tallied 11 points and 7 boards.

*Matt Barnes had a mini 3point shootout with Kent Bazemore in the first quarter before having to sit with 2 fouls.  He continued to impress with 15 points (3-7 from 3, 6-12 overall).  I honestly believe this was one of the best (if not the best) games we have seen Barnes play in a Grizzlies uniform offensively.  It’s nice to finally see him getting his shot back.

*It was great to see Courtney Lee come in and knock down his first four shots off the bench.  He ended the night 2-3 from beyond the arc (6-10 overall) for 14 points.  He also added 4 rebounds to the mix.  The fact that Lee was shooting with little hesitation was exactly what the team has been looking for from him.

*Vince Carter hit a buzzer beating 65’ bank shot at the end of the first quarter and The Grindhouse went wild!

Carter ended up with 4 3-point makes in the first half (unfortunately his only makes aside from 2 free throws in the 2nd half) but that offensive explosion from Vinsanity was nostalgic for many fans.

*Tiny Lee (mini Courtney Lee) was joined by Lil Vinny (mini Vince Carter) on a tour around Memphis and it was all you would expect it to be.

 

*Mario Chalmers had a poor offensive showing, his worst yet as a Grizz, ending the night with only 3 points (0-2 shooting).  His only points came from 3-4 free throw attempts.  He also had 2 assists and 4 personal fouls to go along with 5 turnovers.  Super Mario was replaced in this instance by the evil Wario.

*JaMychal Green yet again showed hustle and heart with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.  The amount of no-calls he received in the game were atrocious.  He also had 3 fouls.  Green still has a long way to go to gain the respect of the refs to get the same calls/benefit of the doubt others receive.

 

*The frustration of the 2nd half unraveled the team and technicals went wild.  Gasol got a tech in the 3rd when he slammed the ball in frustration to the floor as he often does but missed catching it on the way back up, causing the ref to get hit.  Coach Joerger and Matt Barnes both received technicals towards the end of the 4th when they protested the same play.

 

*Grizz had 12 3-point makes while the Hawks made 14 from beyond the arc.

*The real tale of this game?  The small ball is fun to watch.  It’s been exciting.  BUT when Grizz hit a team like Atlanta that likes to run and can hit as many 3’s as they are capable of, the frustration and lack of defense the Grizz showed got to this team (hence the techs).  Gasol is getting worn playing for such long stretches in this offense and getting doubled without his partner Zach Randolph there to take off some of the pressure inside.  Tony Allen played exactly ZERO minutes in the 4th quarter when Al Horford was going off for 10 points (2-3 from beyond the arc).  The defensive principles that made this team great got left behind in the 2nd half, allowing the Hawks to sink their talons in and come away with the 116-101 win.

 

Next Up: 

Who:  Memphis Grizzlies VS Philadelphia 76ers

Where:  FedExForum, Memphis

When:  Sunday, November 29 at 5pm CST

Where To Watch/Listen:  Fox Sports Southeast, NBATV, 92.9 ESPN

Elizabeth Smith
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