Recap: Grizzlies at Lakers; Preview: Grizzlies at Suns
Final score- Memphis – 112, Los Angeles – 95
Last night in the City of Angels, your Memphis Grizzlies took no prisoners in a decisive victory against the Los Angeles Lakers. Some of that can arguably be attributed to the Lakers abysmal defensive ability, but the Grizzlies made their presence felt early and often on both ends of the floor. Hooray for playing with some hustle!
A win is a win is a win, and we need to rack up as many as possible down the stretch, because the last two weeks of the regular season are going to be brutal.
That being said, I think we can all acknowledge this was a win against a Lakers team that is just downright playing like garbage. The Grizzlies handily gave them the business in the Grindhouse on Wednesday, and last night was more of the same, just on a different coast.
By the Numbers:
Grizzlies:
- Brandan Wright– 8 points, 5 rebounds
- Zach Randolph– 15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists
- PJ Hairston- 21 points, 4 rebounds
- Mike Conley– 17 points, 7 assists
- Vince Carter– 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
- Mario Chalmers– 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists
- JaMychal Green– 10 points, 3 rebounds
- Lance Stephenson– 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
- Chris Andersen– 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 blocks
- James Ennis– 2 points, 2 rebounds
A Few Things:
Basketball is fun again!
I know it’s just the Lakers, but last night’s game was so much fun to watch. It was so great to see these guys out there doing the thing with smiles on their faces. With Marc Gasol out for the season, and all expectations for the rest of the year out of the window, I want to see Mike Conley developing his leadership abilities and this is the perfect opportunity for him to step up in that capacity.
I talked about this with Joe Mullinax of Grizzly Bear Blues the other night on his GBB Live podcast, which you should definitely be listening to. And shameless self-promotion time, you can download the podcast I was a guest on right HERE.
Vince Carter’s old man game is everything, has given me life.
Fangirling over Vince Carter doing Vinsanity type ish when he’s wearing a Grizzlies uniform continues to be one of the season’s highlights for me. Carter had a season high 19 points last night, played less than 20 minutes, and hit 5/5 from beyond the arch in less than a ten minute span. Get some, Mr. Carter.
GOON SQUAD!
I love this narrative so much, I love that Conley is owning it, I love that they are having fun on the court again. It warms my cold, black heart to see. There has been so much of this season that has been miserable to watch, and the guys were obviously miserable playing through.
PJ Hairston and Lance Stephenson both appear to be trying to prove their worth.
I’m not ready to say the team should extend any offers based on these first few games against weak teams. But I would love to see Lance Stephenson get his mind right and realize his full potential as a player. He’s still young enough to do so, if he is willing to put in the work. Maybe some time in the Zach Randolph School For Wayward Basketball Players is what the doctor ordered?
Moving forward:
The Grizzlies continue on the second night of a back to back game schedule, facing off against Jon Leuer and the Phoenix Suns. *snicker* It’ll be another late night for fans in the Bluff City, but blessedly we will have Pete Pranica and Brevin Knight and the rest of the Grizzlies telecast crew talking us through it. I know I’m supposed to be excited when the Grizzlies get national exposure, but give me Pete and Brevin over any of the droll ESPN or TNT guys any and every day.
Tip-off is at 8:30 CST
TV & Radio: FoxSports Southeast, 92.9FM WMFS
Doesn't bluff, stays grinding.
Bluff City Born and Memphis Made
- Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach Niele Ivey Named New Head Coach for Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team - April 22, 2020
- Notes From Grizzlies Media Day 2019 - October 2, 2019
- Memphis Grizzlies 2019 Training Camp Roster - September 30, 2019
