Shy’s Perspective: The Smash Brothers Return!!!

The Smash Brothers (Big Spain and Zbo) made a triumphant return to the FedEx Forum on Thursday night before a sell-out crowd. And Troy Daniels..

More on Troy Daniels later…..

The Grizzlies ended the Thunder’s four-game winning streak and a three-game road winning streak. The game marked the Grizzlies’ largest margin victory of the season. Also the Grizzlies led by as many as 37 points, the largest lead for them of the season.

The final box score Grizzlies 114, Thunder 80.   For the first time in franchise history the Grizzlies have won 10 games in the month. This win marked the 10th win in the month of December; they are now 10-6 in the month of December.

 

Game Notes

1) Marc Gasol was the Grizzlies leading scorer with 25 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. This has been his highest scoring month of his career.

 

2) Gasol’s fellow Smash Brother, Zach Randolph had himself a night as well. Zbo finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists. It was his highest scoring game since he’s been back from his seven game absence. Zbo also finished with a plus-minus of +21.

Big Spain had nice things to say about Zbo after the game:

“He’s great. Nobody deserves it more than Zach. We love seeing him play. We love seeing him with that little pep in his step and the eyebrow going. I love it. I love it. It makes me just happy to see him like that. It goes beyond us winning or benefiting from him scoring points. It just makes me happy to see him play well.”

3. JaMychal Green had the best shooting percentage on the night with 17 points. He converted on 6 of 7 field goal attempts and shot 85.7 percent from the field. JaMyke had himself a great night.

4. WHAT THE TROY DANIELS!! He scored all of his 22 points in the fourth quarter shooting 6-of-8 (.75) from three-point range. He made bucket after bucket for the Grizz. Daniels even managed to tie a franchise record in the process. He tied Greg Anthony for a franchise record for most points scored in a single quarter by any player. Anthony scored 22 points for the Vancouver Grizzlies in the second quarter of their game on Dec. 7, 1995 vs. Detroit.

5. Before his ejection in the third quarter, Russell Westbrook ended with 21 points, five rebound, six turnovers and zero assists. The Thunder had two other players in double figures, Kanter 19 and Abrines 10.

In 27 games against the Grizzlies, Westbrook has never had a triple double. The Grizzlies have the longest streak in the NBA without allowing a triple double in 176 games.

Stats of the game

Analysis

The Grizzlies were consistent on offense and defense the entire night. The lack of consistency has a been an issue throughout the season.

It was good to see both Big Spain and Zbo back to their old ways as the best big man tandem in the league. Hopefully, the Smash Brothers will play like this together in the future with the same outcome.

Troy Daniels has been one of the most surprising pick ups for the Grizzlies. He is just deadly with the three. When he’s hot….the hoop is like the ocean. Last night, it was Troy Daniels world in the fourth quarter and we were along for the ride. Troyyyy just want to have fun, ohhhhh Troyyyy, he just want to have fun (And yes that is song to the tune of Cydni Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”).

Highlights

What They Said

Coach Fizz

On the Grizzlies’ intensity and defensive effort taking the Thunder out of their gameplan:

“I don’t know, I don’t know. I just was happy with the effort. That’s all I cared about: seeing us play harder, sprinting back on defense, diving on the floor for loose balls. That part of our game, we just have to understand, can’t waver. We’re just not a superpower team. If we’ve got a chance to win big, it’s because we bring consistent effort every night.”

 

On a New Year’s resolution for the Grizzlies:  

“Consistency. That is our resolution, to be more consistent, in all areas. Leadership, effort, execution, things that we’ve been showing great signs of but not necessarily doing on a consistent basis.”

 

On getting a win before the California road trip:

“It’s huge. Obviously it’s a brutal road trip, we play against some really good teams out there. But we just needed to get back to being ourselves. I didn’t care if this game was on the road or at home, we just needed to get back to competing the way we compete. I can live with the results when I know we played extremely hard.”

 

Up Next

The Grizzlies travel to Sacramento to battle the Kings on Saturday. The Grizzlies will be looking for payback after the last outing. Tip-off is at 4pm CST.

 

***Stats via NBA.com/Stats and Grizzlies PR***