Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Charlotte Hornets

WHEN: 6:00 PM CST

WHERE: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

Injury Report:

CHA: Cody Martin (Probable, Right Knee), Lamelo Ball (Out, Right Ankle), Mark Williams (Out, back)

MEM: Derick Rose (Questionable, Right Ankle Soreness), Ziaire Williams (Doubtful, Left hand Bone Contusion), Desmond Bane (Out, Left Ankle Sprain), Brandon Clarke (Out, Left Achilles Tendon Repair), Ja Morant (Out, Right shoulder Labral Repair), Marcus Smart (Out, Right Ring Finger Central Slip tear)

Projected Starters:

CHA: Leaky Black, Brandon Miller, Cody Martin, Miles Bridges, Nick Richards

MEM: Scotty Pippen Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., Santi Aldama, Jaren Jackson Jr.

The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Charlotte looking to end their seven game losing streak against the Hornets. Charlotte has had their own struggles this season, coming in on a nine game losing streak of their own. 

Both teams will also look a lot different after than they did a week ago after making some deals at the trade deadline. The Grizzlies traded both Xavier Tillman and David Roddy and adding Yuta Watanabe and Lamar Stevens, while the Hornets traded PJ Washington for Grant Williams and Seth Curry. 

Here are some players, trends, and storylines to watch in tonight’s game

Slowing Brandon Miller

If there is anyone on the Hornets the Grizzlies should be worried about it is definitely Number two overall pick Brandon Miller.  Miller been on a tear lately, averaging over 24 points a game in his last 8 outings, and looks to be every bit of the prospect Charlotte hoped he would be. The young wing has continued to show great poise and potential despite playing on a team without much hope this season. 

As he has all season, expect Vince Williams Jr. to take on the role of guarding Miller. There’s is no doubt that this will be the matchup to watch all night. Williams has the length and athleticism to make things a lot harder on Miller and usually thrives in matchups of this caliber, but I’d expect both players to have their moments. It’s very hard to completely shut down a player like Miller, but there’s no doubt Vince will make him work for every bucket.

The Emergence of GG Jackson

GG Jackson was signed to a four year contract after breaking Kobe Bryant’s record of youngest player to score 25+ points off the bench. Over the last few weeks, Jackson has continued to prove why he was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, averging 13 points and 5 rebounds over his last 10 games. Every game he looks even more comfortable on and NBA court and it’s clear the Grizzlies are very excited about his upside. There haven’t been many positives about this season, but his continued development should be the main focus going forward.

Something’s Gotta give

Tonight it will be the battle of two teams that are winless in February. Both teams are far from their respective playoff battles, but expect both teams to be hungry for a win. The Grizzlies been dealing with a stretch of tough opponents and unprecented injuries, so tonight would be a good chance to end their losing streak against another struggling team. Memphis has also been better on the road than anyone would have expected so going on the road could actually be a positive for them. 

It’s the first time the Grizzlies have been favored in a game in what feels like an eternity, and the Hornets are on the second night of a back to back after getting blown out by the Bucks. If the Grizzlies come in focused and play low turnover, high assist basketball offensively, they should be able to end their losing streak.

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)