Shy’s Perspective: Grizzlies beat Cavs 93-85

Dribbles on Grizzlies win over Cavs

1) Troy Daniels came out of his latest shooting funk. Daniels off the bench led the Grizzlies with 20 points. The Grizzlies will need him to continue to shoot in this manner throughout the season.

 

2) Toney Douglas has his best outing as a member of the Grizzlies. Douglas finished with 14 points, six rebounds and a team high five assists. He shot 60 percent from the field going 6-of-10.

 

3) Marc Gasol returned to the line-up after missing the game against the Cavs in Cleveland. Big Spain finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. He recorded his fifth double-double of the season. Gasol was perfect from the three point line going 3-of-3.

 

4) James Jones led the Cavs with his season high of 15 points going 5-of-8 from the field. The Cavs had three other players in double figures (Fedler 14,Dunleavy 11 and Liggins 10)

 

5) The Cavs were without LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Neither player made the trip to Memphis due to rest.

 

Stats of the Game

Field Goal Percentage: Cavs 37.3 percent (28/75), Grizzlies 43.2 percent (35/81)

Rebounds: Cavs 42 (10 OREB), Grizzlies 55 (14 OREB)

Bench Points: Cavs 49, Grizzlies 52

Points in the Paint: Cavs 28, Grizzlies 30

Three Point Field Goals: Cavs 36.0 percent (9/25), Grizzlies 52.2 percent (12/23)

Second Chance Points: Cavs 3, Grizzlies 20

Fastbreak Points: Cavs 13, Grizzlies 10

Assists: Cavs 15, Grizzlies 22

Steals: Cavs 11 Grizzlies 10

 

Highlights

 

Takeaways

A win is a win and it didn’t matter if the Cavs were without their big three. The Grizzlies were able to win 3-1 when the schedule became hard. A lot of people counted them out but they failed to ask the Grizzlies. This team has confidence in themselves.

The conundrum now for the Grizzlies is what to do about Toney Douglas. Do they just let him just walk or find a way to keep him? The hardship exemption that allowed them to sign him expired after the Cavs game.

Marc Gasol is proving why he should be in consideration for league MVP. Marc can be dominant when he wants to be. And he’s a great three point shooter. I expect him to be an All star this year.

What They Said!!

GRIZZLIES HEAD COACH DAVID FIZDALE

On Marc Gasol:

“He’s good. He’s our MVP and, to me, he’s the best center in the NBA. I’m obviously a little biased but I think he is the best in the league. The thing that I continue to be most proud of is his growth as a leader and he continues to take steps forward that way.”

 

On how his injured veterans will help the team once they return:

“It’s huge, not only for the shots that go in but for the amount of space it creates for your best players. Our best players need that spacing. The nights that we really struggle and we don’t shoot the three-ball well… we are just lacking on three-point shooting. It will be really nice to get those veteran guys back and use that as a weapon.”

 

On Tony Allen’s improvement on offense:

“I still cover my eyes a little bit when he goes to the rim. If he would’ve made his chippies tonight, he might’ve had 25 or 26 points. He’s a weapon offensively. I just don’t see him as a liability at all. I think you can see by the numbers he has been putting up since he’s gotten his legs underneath him and has gotten in shape. He’s capable of scoring and helping your team offensively in a lot of different ways. I said when I first got here that I don’t like to put a cap on anybody and say, ‘This is what he is’. I like to look at guys and see where they can grow and develop and he’s done that for me.”

 

Up Next

The Grizzlies will reunite with their former coach Dave Joerger as they take on the Sacramento Kings at the FedEx Forum on Friday. Tip-Off at 7pm.