Moving Right Along

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Carmen Patton

Share the joy

Last night the Memphis Grizzlies played the first game of a quick two game road trip. They faced the Orlando Magic and got punched in the mouth early and never really recovered. Ironically, the Grizzlies only had 6 turnovers, shot above their average field goal percentage at 46 percent and above their average 3 point field goal percentage at 40 percent, and that normally indicates a win. However, it wasn’t enough against a Magic team that shot at 50.6 percent (FG%) and 50 percent (3PFG%).

“This is just one of them nights. You have to give them credit. You can’t take anything away from this team…a good team…a great Coach. It just wasn’t our night. We kind of got punked tonight and let them do whatever they wanted to do.”

Zach Randolph on the team’s loss

In this season, the Grizzlies are now 2-7 on the first game of a back to back. Add to that the fact that the Grizzlies haven’t won a game on December 26 since 2010 (one has been played every year between there), and you can see how the stars just didn’t align for them to win last night. That takes nothing away from the Magic though. They played harder, with more urgency and gave their best effort to the game for 48 minutes. Period.

“Yes, we were dead tonight for whatever reason. We had nothing in the tank. A reporter asked me before the game about Aaron Gordon being an All-Defensive guy. I said, “Hell, he should have asked me about being first team all-offense because he torched us tonight.” We had no answer for that kid. He played a great game. He had way more life to his body. All of them did. I thought our finishing group was the only group that seemed to have any life. We just got our butts kicked.”

Coach David Fizdale on the team’s lack of energy

There’s no sense in dwelling on what went wrong. There’s a few if this, then that and coulda, woulda, shoulda scenarios for this game. Give the Grizzlies those same field goal percentages on another night and more times than not you’re going to get a win. So,it was what it was last night. Here’s what went well:

1.) Mike Conley seems to be getting his legs back under him. He led all Grizzlies’ scorers with 17 points (75% FG; 6-8), 4 assists and 2 rebounds in 26 minutes of action.

2.) The bench showed up BIG again. The Grizzlies bench chipped in another 55 points last night. They had the energy and the fire, but the ditch that was dug for them with the Grizzlies slow start was too much for them to help the team overcome. Troy Daniels (16), Zach Randolph (13), and James Ennis III (11) all scored in double digits off the bench. Jarell Martin was big on the defensive end in preventing 2nd chance opportunities for the Magic by pulling down a team-high 8 rebounds.

3.) The Grizzlies made 10 three-point field goals for the 4th consecutive game. This was a milestone in the franchise’s history.

4.) Vince Carter played in his 1,300th regular season game. He’s tied with Ray Allen for 20th in NBA history.

5.) The Grizzlies were aggressive in getting to the free throw line. They were 22-28, while the Magic was 11-16.

So, tonight the Grizzlies are in Bean Town looking to avenge their loss to the Celtics a week ago today. The Celtics were able to conquer the Knicks on Christmas Day, so they didn’t have a game on yesterday. The Grizzlies are currently undefeated on the 2nd game of a back to back (8-0). What’s going to be key to getting a win tonight?

1.) They’ve got to play defense for 48 minutes. In the meeting last week, they were able to hold the Celtics to 31 points (29.3 percent FG%; 6.7 percent 3PFG%) in the first half. Somewhere along the way when that 2nd half started, they abandoned defense and the Celtics, led by Isaiah Thomas, were able to shoot at 51.5 percent (FG) and 52.6 percent (3PFG) and got to the FT line 23 times (22-23).

Say it with me, aloud and in unison for 48 minutes, DE-FENSE.

2.) Chandler Parsons needs to find a rhythm. Conley is getting back in rhythm. Ennis III is getting back in rhythm. It’s time (past time in some folks’ eyes) for Parsons to get a rhythm going. He did not play in the game a week ago. In the last three games, he’s gone 3-16 in field goals, 0-4 in three-point field goals, and has played an average of 14 minutes per game. Now obviously he can’t shake the table in 15-20 minutes of action (which is likely where his rehab plan has him), but some sort of point production would be nice.

3.) Marc Gasol has to score at least 20 points. If he can’t get to 20, he’s got to be closer to 20 than he is to 10. That’s how this team is going to get wins ANY NIGHT…not just this here night.

4.) Take care of and share the ball. The Grizzlies had 13 turnovers in the game last week leading to 14 points for the Celtics. They did a pretty good job of sharing the ball assisting on over 60% of their shots (23 of 38). Turn the ball over less and continue to share the ball more.

5.) Be dominant on the glass again. The Grizzlies had 52 rebounds last week compared to 41 by the Celtics. They were able to hold the Celtics to just 5 second chance points, while scoring 23 of their own.

Let’s see if the home team can avenge the OT loss from last week. Tune in tonight at 6:30 PM CST for the tip-off against the Boston Celtics. Go Grizz!

**Sources used nba.com, landofbasketball.com**