Game Preview: Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies

When: Friday, November 10th, 7:00 PM CST

Where: NBA In-Season Tournament, Group Play, FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

Well. I guess we’re chalking up Wednesday’s game as another in a long line right? Another game—another close game—in a long line of them, that results in the Grizzlies losing. Losing because they were incapable of closing out the contest.

That has got to change tonight. Far be it from being a true make-or-break game, let alone a must-win for Memphis… But that’s where we find ourselves. At 1-7, the Grizzlies must hope they can add to their collection of a lone dubskis.

Not that the Jazz are doing much better. At 2-7 they’ll be scrounging for a victory as hard as the home team. We’ll have to wait and see what—if any—effect this being the 2nd In-Season Tournament Game has on either squad.

Regardless, it seems that every game played this season… Well they’ve had their competitive factors turned up to eleven. Expect this game to be no different, and keep any eye on these specific factors. They’ll be key if Memphis has any desire to move to 2-7… And not be last in the league.

Will ‘Bis’ Get Down To Business?

It took the entirety of two games for Bismack Biyombo to get acclimated to the Grizzlies. Not that this should come as a surprise. We all know how important a true big is to Memphis’ offensive scheme. We saw how they struggled without Steven Adamsn.

Bis isn’t Steve-O, but starting through two games… He’s proving to be more than a temporary fix for the Grizzlies rotation. Already in these appearances he’s averaging 5.7 PTS, 7.0 TRB, 1.3 AST, and 1 BLK. Not bad for a backup big thrust into a starting role on an accelerated timeline? Not bad at all.

That’s not the end of it either. His numbers this season per 100 possessions show what he’s capable of. Those numbers are a much higher 14.4 PTS, 17.7 TRB, 3.4 AST, and 2.5 BLK. Look, all I’m saying is if that’s who you have as your back up center you can do much, much worse.

Should he continue hooping the way he has been, I’m telling you Memphis will have no trouble but to clear a roster spot for him. They won’t be able to afford to lose Bis at that point.

With news that Walker Kessler is due to miss this game because of an elbow injury… Well I see the Jazz running out of bodies to throw at the Grizzlies bigs and I see them running out early. There’s a chance Biyombo has his best game as a member of the Grizzlies tonight.

In-Season Intrigue… I Guess?

If there’s one positive that the inaugural In-Season Tournament has resulted in it has to be the games. Every tournament game has had increased intensity and play… And for the most part it’s resulted in an excellent product by the NBA. Let’s hope tonight’s game is no different.

That doesn’t mean that A.) I understand it any less, or B.) I care any more for it at all. The league still has lots of work to do on that front. Let’s see what the broadcast winds up featuring tonight to educate us on the matter. If they can get it to match the quality of play, then they’ll be in good shape.

Who’s the Fifth Starter?

With Ziaire Williams finding his way on to the injury report this game, the time may be now to try someone new at the starting three spot.

I’m worried Z’s confidence is already shot. If that’s the case, I’m afraid Memphis does not have the time to bolster the kid’s feelings. Sitting at 1-7 with the possibility of 1-8 staring them in the face? The Grizzlies cannot afford to wait for him to get ‘back’.

They need to find a solution before these first 25 games slip even further out of hand. One option is Luke Kennard. He’s a definite boost to the Grizzlies offense any time he’s out there. On top of that, the team now has enough guys on defense to mask his shortcomings.

David Roddy is another option. He’s not played great ball as of late, but he’s proven he can do it before. The weirdest choice here would be to trot Santi Aldama out there with the starters, but I doubt Taylor Jenkins goes for that. Whoever the team decides to roll the dice on, now’s the time to take the chance.

The rotation will become much more solidified once Ja Morant returns from suspension. As such, any reps and minutes at this juncture are of vast importance. We’ll see who the squad starts out at the three tonight, and as long as it’s not LaRavia… I’ll be a happy man.

Photo credit: (Petre Thomas, USA TODAY Sports)