/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23372989/20130407_mjm_ax5_197.0.jpg)
We've seen just how bad the Memphis Grizzlies can be so far this season, but, perhaps, tonight we'll have a chance to see how good they can be. Memphis notched their first road win against the Lakers on Friday night, and a positive sign from the team would be the continuity of that little bit of momentum they mustered in LA.
The Grizzlies tipoff against the Kings at 5:00pm CST in the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, and the game can be viewed locally (Memphis) on the usual tv/radio combo of Fox SportsSouth and 92.9 FM ESPN.
Recently for the Grizzlies: a close win in LA that saw Zach Randolph unleash his fury while scoring 28 points on 61% shooting from the field, 100% from the FT line and hauling in 11 rebound (most of which were not Zbounds). Tony Allen proved to us that he can be efficient on the defensive end, and Mike Conley proved to us that he won't shoot lights out and score 20 points every game. Coach Joerger's minimal rotations have shown they can keep the team in sync; will we see that again tonight?
Recently for the Kings: Even with Demarcus Cousins laying down nearly 30 points every night, the Kings are struggling on the road and at home, most recently losing to the Detroit Pistons in Sleep Train Arena. This is a team that yearns for talent and production outside of Cousins, Isaiah Thomas and Greivis Vasquez. There's not a ton of scoring threats to deal with here (hey that sounds familiar), so if the Grizzlies can lock down and frustrate Cousins, this should be a relatively benign afternoon of basketball.
Last time they met: 4/7/2013, Marc Gasol blocks the final shot attempt by Marcus Thornton to seal an 89-87 victory in Sacramento. Zbo and Tayshaun had off nights, while Tony Allen played a fantastic game and Qpon was aggressive with 17 points off the bench. Memphis is undefeated against Sacramento in the year of 2013 AD, and they've only lost to the Kings twice since Nov 23rd, 2009. That's four solid years of dominance that should continue tonight.
STARTERS | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zach Randolph, PF | 36 | 4-13 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -4 | 9 |
Tayshaun Prince, SF | 30 | 1-5 | 0-0 | 1-2 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
Marc Gasol, C | 34 | 4-10 | 0-1 | 7-9 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +4 | 15 |
Mike Conley, PG | 38 | 9-14 | 2-2 | 5-6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -2 | 25 |
Tony Allen, SG | 35 | 5-8 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | +2 | 12 |
BENCH | MIN | FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | +/- | PTS |
Ed Davis, PF | 18 | 0-4 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | +7 | 2 |
Jon Leuer, PF | 7 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
Austin Daye, SF | 5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -9 | 0 |
Quincy Pondexter, SF | 23 | 7-13 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | +7 | 17 |