Grizzlies vs Pelicans Game Preview

Memphis Grizzlies vs New Orleans Pelicans 

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

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

Projected Starters:

NO: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

MEM: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo

The Memphis Grizzlies travel back to New Orleans looking to stay undefeated since the return of Ja Morant. It will be a rematch of last Tuesday’s matchup which ended in dramatic fashion after a 24 point Grizzlies comeback in Morant’s return.

Here are some players, trends, and storylines to watch heading into tonight’s matchup.

The return of Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is questionable to return tonight after missing the last five weeks with a left foot sprain. Smart was averaging just over 12 PPG before his injury, but was also playing out of position with Morant being out. The Grizzlies are looking to turn their season around and his return is coming at the perfect time.

If he does return tonight, don’t be surprised if he comes off the bench at first. Coach Taylor Jenkins has had a history of this in the past and the current starting five has been on a roll. The Grizzlies are also short on people who can run point, so his minutes with some of the bench lineups could be huge. 

The Ja Morant effect

In the 25 games without Ja Morant; the Grizzlies were 28th in paint points, last in points per game, and last in offensive rating. In the three games since his return the Grizzlies are 1st in paint points, 6th in offensive rating, and 9th in overall points per game. Morant’s return has made everything run easier for the Grizzlies offense and it will only get better as they continue to get healthy.

The biggest effect of his return, however, is on Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Bane has scored 30+ in each of the last two games, while Jaren has had 20+ in each of the last three games and is shooting 73% from the floor. Teams are no longer selling out to stop Bane and Jackson and their decreased defensive attention has made everything easier. The trio of Morant, Bane, Jackson have all gone for 20+ points in every game together for the first time in Grizzlies history. If they can keep that up they will be very tough to stop.

Slowing Brandon Ingram

The Grizzlies have had some issues guarding wing players this season and Brandon Ingram was no different. In the last matchup, Ingram scored 34 points on 11-14 shooting. The Grizzlies game plan should be to show him multiple defenders and make it hard for him to his mid range, where he scored the majority of his baskets last Tuesday.

The addition of Smart along with the emergence of Vince Williams Jr. as an on ball defender gives them options, but he has consistently made shots over tough defense in the past. The Grizzlies were able to overcome the great play from Ingram in the last game, but it may not be the case if they allow him to go for 30+ again.

This game will be the first of three straight on the road for the Grizzlies, so it would be good for them to start it on the right foot. Surprisingly, they have been better on the road and could improve to .500 away from FedEx Forum with a win. The Pelicans will come out wanting revenge on their home floor so it won’t be easy, but if the Grizzlies play the way they have for the last week they could definitely extend their win streak to four.