When: December 6th, 6:00 CST
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
How to Stream/Watch: Bally Sports Southeast
The Need for Momentum as Morant Nears Return
The Memphis Grizzlies will finish their three-game road trip by traveling to Detroit for a meeting with the 2-18 Pistons. Going into this game, Memphis has a 4-6 record on the road, while Detroit has a 1-9 record at home. The Pistons’ last home win (and win, in general) came on October 28th against the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons went winless in November with a 0-15 record and are currently on a 17-game losing streak.
Despite their most recent loss to the Suns, the Grizzlies have looked much improved over the last three games. They have scored an average of 107.3 points per game, which is slightly above their average on the year of 105.9, and have held their opponents to an average of 98, which is well below their average of almost 112.
The defense of the Grizzlies has stepped up, and that has been without their All-NBA defender Marcus Smart, who is still battling an ankle injury. On the opposition, the Pistons like to play fast and get up-and-down in transition with their young rising stars Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and 2023 fifth overall pick Ausar Thompson.
Cunningham, having a career year averaging 22.4 PTS per game, will command the offense. His 6-foot-7 frame could potentially give the Grizzlies matchup problems. This will ultimately be a clash of styles, as two of the youngest teams in the NBA try to get their footing early this season.
This is an important game for the Grizzlies. This is a very winnable game, and if they continue to play as well as they have over the last week, I don’t see why they can’t come out with a W. With Ja Morant set to return in two weeks and a few players’ injury timelines set to be around that two-week mark, Memphis needs to rack up as many wins as possible to stay within striking distance of the postseason.
Bench guys like Jaylen Nowell and Vince Willams Jr. have stepped big time with their opportunities, while Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr continue to be difference-makers for this team. If they want to continue to string together wins, they need to win this game the same way they have the other 5; everyone in the lineup has to contribute while playing intense “Grizzlies” defense.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Memphis: Derrick Rose, Desmond Bane, Jaylen Nowell, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo
Detroit: Jaden Ivey, Killian Hayes, Cade Cunnigham, Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duran
Injury Report:
Memphis – Out: Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, GG Jackson II, Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Ja Morant, and Marcus Smart
Detroit – Out: Monte Morris and Joe Harris. Day-to-Day: Marvin Bagley and Jaren Rhoden
Derrick Rose: The X Factor
When Rose signed with the team this past offseason, everyone’s biggest question was how much the former league MVP had left in the tank. Playing in his 15th season and having a long injury history, the concerns were understandable. However, Rose has put all doubters to bed by being one of the most consistent players on the team this year.
The Grizzlies’ medical staff has been careful with Rose’s minutes and games played this year. Rose has rarely played on the second night of back-to-back games and has yet to play 30 minutes in a game this year. However, in the ten games he has played, he has been nothing but productive.
This season, Rose is averaging 9.7 PTS, 3.1 ASTS, and 2 RBS on 47% percent from the field and 38.1% from three. These are very serviceable numbers for a team that has struggled to find consistent production off the bench.
Grizzlies’ Head Coach Taylor Jenkins recently put Rose in the startling lineup for the games against the Jazz and the Mavericks. The Grizz were 2-0 in those games and, if you watch those games, Rose fits in comfortably with the first unit.
He pushes the pace when necessary, controls the game’s tempo, and takes some ball-handling pressure off of Desmond Bane. I expect Rose to be in the starting lineup tonight and expect him to stay there until Morant returns in six games. In the next six games, the Grizzlies don’t have any back-to-backs, so I don’t see a reason why Rose wouldn’t be starting at lead guard.
The team runs better with Rose on the court, and Jenkins sees that. With the game tonight likely being a fast-paced affair, Rose must control the game, pick his spots, and feed the hot hands. Once Morant returns, he will return to his backup role and should continue to be able to flourish.