Searching for Answers – Grizzlies vs Timberwolves Preview

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Elizabeth Smith

Share the joy

Who: Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis

When: Friday, February 19^th at 7pm CST

How to Watch/Listen: Fox Sports Southeast, 92.9 ESPN Radio Memphis

When your Memphis Grizzlies (31-22) take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (17-37) Friday night in FedEx Forum, this won’t be a squad you’ll fully recognize. Grizz staple Marc Gasol is out indefinitely with a broken bone in his right foot and we likely won’t see him again this season. The Grizz are not releasing an official timetable for his return and Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace has stated that the team is still in “fact-finding mode” regarding the injury. You also won’t see guard Courtney Lee, as he was traded on Tuesday to the Charlotte Hornets in a 3 team deal which brought to the Grizz former Hornet SF PJ Hairston, former Miami Heat forward Chris Andersen, and 4 future 2^nd round draft picks. Also missing will be forward Jeff Green, who was traded to the hated Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for SF Lance Stephenson and a future 1^st round pick. Hairston and Andersen are expected to be in uniform tonight, while Stephenson likely won’t be as he hasn’t cleared the trade hurdles of paperwork and physical. We should get our first look at Brandan Wright since November 7^th. Wright has been out after surgery on his knee in mid-December.

Timberwolves Kevin Martin (wrist) should return from a 9 game absence tonight. Wolves F Nemanja Bjelica (sore right foot) isn’t with the team tonight. Kevin Garnett has been sidelined for 9 games with a sore right knee and is listed as doubtful. C Nikola Pekovic is not with the team because of a sore right foot.

Game Notes:

*Grizz will be especially challenged on the offensive end tonight. Losing 3 of our top 6 scorers in Marc Gasol (16.6ppg), Jeff Green (12.2ppg), and Courtney Lee (10ppg) will be a blow. Others must be able to fill the holes left behind by these absences. I’m especially looking for Mike Conley and Zach Randolph to anchor this.

*The Grizzlies have won 6 of their last 8 games coming in while the Timberwolves have lost 6 of their last 9. Grizzlies must use their experience and grit to combat the youth and athleticism of these hungry T’Wolves.

*The Grizzlies will have to play locked-in defense. This will be much more difficult without our rock in Marc Gasol, but it is imperative that they band together to reign in these feisty Wolves. The Grizz are currently ranked 6^th in defensive ranking while the T’Wolves are tied for 22^nd. If Memphis can lock-down on the court (I’m looking at you Tony Allen), then they can come away with the win tonight.

*The 1^st 5,000 fans at the game get this Memphis Sounds air freshener.

#Groovy! 1st 5k fans at #MEMvMIN RT @NotTheGolfer: Ridin in style w/ the #MEMsounds air freshener… smells good too pic.twitter.com/rjOgT1NPwM

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 18, 2016

*The Adidas Item of the game tonight is a pretty sweet Sounds tee to add to your collection.

Snag tonight's #GrizzDen by adidas #ItemoftheGame inside @FedExForum Lobby: memphis red script tee – $15 (Reg. $22) pic.twitter.com/haGgVi1Z1w

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 19, 2016

This is also the last Hardwood Classics Night, so we won’t be seeing those amazing Sounds unis again this season 🙁

*It’s time to start thinking about renewing season tickets for the 2016-17 season and in honor of that Growl Towels with the caption ‘Memphis Forever’ will be on the seats of MVP’s in The Grindhouse tonight. Don’t forget to renew/sign up for season tickets and be a part of the party!

At tonight's game, #MemphisForever #GrowlTowels are laid out on #GrizzMVP's seats only > https://t.co/PGKKqk83D2 pic.twitter.com/VUJCl50XM0

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) February 19, 2016

*Also, don’t forget about the Gospel concert after the game featuring Pastor Beverly Crawford.