Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Philadelphia 76ers (3/5/2024)

Fresh off the first victory since the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers tonight. Memphis, still riddled with injuries, could get Jaren Jackson, Jr. back tonight which is good news given the extended time out for Derrick Rose and Ziaire Williams announced yesterday. Memphis has lost their last 2 trips to the City of Brotherly Love and face a tall task tonight at 6:30. Can the Grizzlies win? Absolutely! They proved that in their last outing against the Nets holding off a late comeback to secure the win. This 76ers team, while missing star Joel Embiid, is a much more formidable opponent. How can the Grizzlies win? I will give you 3 keys to victory tonight.

Who: Memphis Grizzlies (21-41, 13th in the West) at Philadelphia 76ers (35-25, 5th in the East)

When: Wednesday, March 6th, 6:30 P.M. CST

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

How To Watch: Bally Sports Southeast

Injury Report:

Memphis: Jaren Jackson Jr. questionable (quad), Desmond Bane out (ankle), Brandon Clarke out (achilles), Scotty Pippen, Jr.: out (back), Ja Morant out for season (shoulder), Marcus Smart out (finger), Derrick Rose day to day (back), Yuta Watanabe out (wrist sprain), Ziaire Williams right low back/hip flexor strain (out).

Philadelphia: Joel Embiid out (knee), Tyrone Maxey questionable (concussion), De’Anthony Meltond out (back), Robert Covington out (knee)

Cool Hand Luke

Known for his 3 point shooting, currently second in the NBA at 45.9 % behind only former Grizz Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard went full nuclear against the Nets Monday night. ‘Nuke’ finished with a season high 25 points and shot 66.7% from beyond the arc. Kennard was back to his old self after a pedestrian start to 2024. However, the best sign from Luke has been his ability to run the point and distribute the ball. He is currently average 3.1 assists per game, his highest since the 2019-20 season, and had 7 in Monday night’s big road win. Can this trend continue? If so, the Grizzlies will be in a much better place moving forward, even into next season. Luke has shown an knack for moving the ball lately, 5+ assist in 2 straight games, and has made the offense roll. The Grizzlies need Luke to step up as a vet with so many injuries. Taking control of brining the ball up will help ease the newer faces into the offense as the Grizz still have so many young players logging significant minutes. Luke can then move without the ball to set up his shot and continue the barrage he started Monday night. Prediction: Luke finishes with 15 points and 6 assists.

Paging GG Jackson II, Your Table is Ready

Fresh off 3 consecutive games in double figures, GG managed only 7 points in Monday nights win in Brooklyn. GG has been a solid contributor, obviously, for much of the season. He is overdue for a big game for the road Grizzlies and I think he could eat against Philly. February 15th is the last time GG had a break out game, dropping 27 in the big win against Milwaukee before the All-Star Break. GG has a knack for showing up against the best competition – 27 against Milwaukee, 18 against Boston and Indiana. The 19 year old future star has been averaging 15.6 points per game over his last 10 games, which is nothing to scoff at considering his youth. However, for the Grizzlies to pull off the upset as a 5 point road dog, it will need to be all hands on deck. Memphis has shown glimpses, see Monday night’s big win, of finding ways to win during this ‘competitive tank’ as some might call it. Those wins have come on the backs of some big games from the role players, GG in the afore mentioned Milwaukee game for instance. In order to close out the road trip victoriously, GG will need to score closer to 20 than 10. Prediction: GG finishes with 17 points

Share the ‘Brotherly’ Love

Over the last 5 games the Grizzlies are averaging 20.2 assists as a team. If you back that up to 10 games, its 24.5. The Grizzlies have been more stagnant on offense since the All-Star break, low lighted I should say in games against Portland on Friday (15 assists) and Brooklyn on 2/26 (16). Color me shocked, as they were blown out in both of those games. Not to state the obvious here, but Memphis is better when the ball is moving with a purpose and moving often. The Grizzlies found success Monday night against the Nets by finding the open shooter, usually Luke Kennard, through 26 assists which is the most in over 2 weeks. In order to snatch a victory from the 76ers, the offense cannot be sloppy. It made for a brutal watch in the 2 losses mentioned above, as the ball sailed out of bounds or the other way for an easy transition bucket much to the malign of all Grizz fans. If the Grizzlies are going to win, the ball movement has to return. Whether it is scheming by Taylor Jenkins or the current point guard by committee, assists will be the only way for Memphis to win tonight. Prediction: Memphis finishes with >20 assists.

Game Prediction

I predicted the win against Brooklyn Monday night, and almost got the score right too. I think Memphis *can* win this game. Philadelphia is without Joel Embiid, Tyrone Maxey might return from the concussion protocol, and this team isn’t an unbeatable juggernaut. Neither team is great at rebounding, Philly is 19th and Memphis 26th in the league, but Philadelphia scores at a much higher rate than Memphis. The 76ers are averaging 117.1 points per game, good enough for 11th in the association, but only 110 over their last 10. Memphis clocks in dead last in points per game, shocker, and is averaging 100.7 in their last 10. While I would love for lightning to strike twice in one week, I just don’t see it happening.

Philadelphia 112 Memphis 100