Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Phoenix Suns

Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Phoenix Suns

When: Sunday, January 7th, 7:00 CST

Where: Footprint Center, Phoniex, AZ

How to Stream/Watch: Bally Sports Southeast

Memphis looks for another big win on the road.

After coming off their most impressive win of the year against the Lakers, Memphis will play the second game of their three-game road trip against the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix is coming off a 113-97 win against the Miami Heat which brought them to a 19-16 record on the season. They are currently sitting at eighth in the Western Conference. 

Phoniex has been subpar at home this season with a 10-10 record. Memphis on the other hand has been comfortable away from their FedexFourum with most of their 12 wins coming on the road with a 9-10 record. 

This is the third meeting of the year between these two teams as the season series is 2-0 in favor of Phoenix. In both of those matchups, Memphis was without Ja Morant due to suspension and missing a few other guys due to injury. With the injury report getting shorter, Memphis believes they can play with anyone in the league, and they will look to prove that against the Suns.

Phoenix will possibly be without their leading scorer Kevin Durant as he is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Durant has missed their last three games. 

Memphis could also be without their star as Ja Morant is listed as questionable with right shoulder soreness. 

With every game being vital in pursuit of a play-in position, the Grizzlies hope that Morant can go. If he can, he will be able to give the Suns a different look they haven’t seen all season. 

No matter if Durant is available or not, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are more than capable of carrying the scoring load, and Memphis will have their hands full dealing with both of them. Beal was out the previous two matchups with an ankle injury so it will be interesting to see who Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins matches up with Beal. 

With many key guys’ statuses on both sides up in the air, it’s hard to gauge how this game will play out. Both teams have shown flashes of being elite, but both have been bitten by the injury bug all year.

However, expect this game to be ultra-competitive as both teams are looking to move up in the standings. This is another important game for Memphis as the Suns are ahead of them in the standings, and another win here will make their road to playoff contention easier.

If they can build off what they did in LA, they will be in great shape against a high-powered Phoenix offense.

Injury Report

Memphis

Questionable: Ja Morant and Vince Williams Jr.

Out: Derrick Rose, GG Jackson II, Jacob Gilayrd, Steven Adams Jake LaRavia

Phoenix

Questionable: Kevin Durant and Eric Gordon

Out: Bol Bol, Nasir Little and Damion Lee

Projected Starting Lineups

Memphis: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo

Phoenix: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Chimezie Metu, Jusuf Nurkic

Defensive Intensity is needed more than ever

Tonight’s game will be a clash of styles. Phoenix loves to play fast and get up as many threes as possible, as they sit near the top of the league in 3-pointers made and points per game. Memphis is near the bottom of the league in both of those categories.

If Durant plays, Phoniex has three guys that can explode for 30 at any given moment. 

Outside of their big three, they have guys such as former Grizzly Grayson Allen and NBA vet Jusuf Nurkic who can fill it up at a moment’s notice.

Memphis’ exceptional shooting kept them in the game against LA, but they gave up a lot of open threes. The Lakers were just missing them. They can’t depend on Phoenix to do the same.

If the core 4 of Morant, Bane, Jackson Jr, and Smart are all on, they can score with the Suns, but they all need to hang their hat on the defensive end to come out with the win.

This game will be a game of matchups and runs, and whichever team wins in those departments is likely to come out on top.