WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (51-31, 35-7 home) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (43-39, 21-21 away)
WHEN: 6:30 P.M. CT
WHERE: FedExForum – Memphis, TN
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: ABC/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis
INJURY REPORT:
MEMPHIS: Ja Morant (Questionable, right hand sorness),Steven Adams (Out, knee), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Jake LaRavia (Out, ankle)
L.A. LAKERS: LeBron James (Probable, foot), Anthony Davis (Probable, foot), Dennis Schroder (Probable, achilles)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:
MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman Sr.
L.A. LAKERS: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Anthony Davis
Euphoria is a word I’d describe the feeling surrounding this Memphis Grizzlies team, as they took on one of the premier franchises of the NBA in the Los Angeles Lakers in round one. Before the ball tipped off in Sunday, you just had that sense of euphoria.
The Grizzlies were underdogs from a national media perspective, and the Grizzlies haven’t played in nearly a week and a half. The team was healthy… for the most part, and those nagging injuries after a long regular season, Memphis had a week and a half to heal.
Then, Game One happened. Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant comes crashing down late in the fourth, with what looked like a gruesome wrist injury on his shooting hand. Then, overall, the Grizzlies underperformed in their game one loss to the Lakers. A sense of unknown, combined with a feeling of let down from the fanbase followed a flop that was game one.
It felt like everything came crashing down at once as the Lakers outscored the Grizzlies 69-47 in the second half, and cruised to a 128-112 game one victory. Thankfully, every storm runs out of rain.
Each day has been positive surrounding not only Ja Morant’s status moving forward, but for the Grizzlies organization overall. Jaren Jackson Jr., was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Morant’s status has since updated to “Game-time decision.”
With or without Morant, this Grizzlies team has the depth and chemistry to even up this series before game three on Saturday night. How do the Grizzlies bounce back tonight in the Grindhouse?
Taylor Jenkins has to trust individual defense throughout stretches:
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dropped 29 points in game one, where 5/6 of those came from the three-point line. A lot of those shots came off of weak side shot attempts because of the Grizzlies stunting double teams at Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Hachimura isn’t the guy that you let one or two open looks fall early in the game. A lot of the lack of Grizzlies defense at the three-point line was due to their persistence in double-teaming Davis and James in the post. Once the ball was swung weak side, the Lakers had shooters waiting for the open look.
This can’t happen if you’re the Grizzlies tonight in a pivotal game two. Trust individual defense more, and stunt the double teams here and there, but not consistently. If Davis and LeBron are going through their rest periods, and only one is on the floor, don’t double.
Pushing the Lakers off of the three-point line will be huge for Memphis, and that comes down to individual defense, which is something they did well down the stretch of the regular season.
The Grizzlies “Others” have to step up and make an impact:
The Grizzlies bench unit scored a combined 24 points in game one, and just couldn’t find their groove. Guys like Santi Aldama and Luke Kennard will have to play a bigger role especially if Tyus Jones moves to the starting lineup in Ja Morant’s absence.
It’ll have to start defensively for this unit, as they are a unit that thrive in transition, verses half-court settings. Aldama will have to pay attention to weak side shooters better, and Kennard just has to let the game come to him. It felt like Luke forced a few plays in Game One, but overall, not too worried about Kennard having a big game tonight for Memphis.
A guy that I’m eyeing tonight that didn’t get minutes in game one – John Konchar. Just feels like the energy guy that this team needs off the bench, especially with a spot open in that lineup with Morant out. The extra possessions, defensive consistency, and overall effort could fuel a pack house tonight at FedExForum.
The Prediction:
This feels like a game where Memphis jumps on Los Angeles out of the gates. The Grizzlies as of Tuesday evening are one-point underdogs, and I like those odds. When the series started, Memphis was 3.5 point favorites in game one.
With or without Morant, take Memphis at home on the moneyline. I’d be shocked, and also disappointed if there inconsistencies continued tonight. Despite Taylor Jenkins lack of adjustments in Game One, Jenkins has always been good at motivating, and adjusting from game to game.
MEMPHIS 111, L.A. LAKERS 104