Memphis Grizzlies Weekly: Let’s Play the Blame Game!
Looking Back
Wednesday, Dec. 11 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Coming off a win against the Orlando Magic, the Grizzlies were hoping to keep the momentum as the Oklahoma City Thunder came to town. However, the Thunder used a 32-point second quarter and took over the game. The Grizzlies were still without Tony Allen and Ed Davis, both out due to injury. In addition Tayshaun Prince continued to struggle; in 29 minutes he scored four points and hauled in just three rebounds. With so many Grizzlies out due to injury the team really needs Prince to step up and do more when his on the floor and he has not answered the call. However, Jon Leuer has played great off the bench, against the Thunder he had 17 points, six rebound, two assists, two steals and two blocks. This game proved that at this point the Grizzlies do not belong in the discussion for the contenders in the West, the Thunder put an end to any thoughts of the playoffs with a 116-100 blowout.
Friday, Dec. 13 at New Orleans Pelicans
Dec 13, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday (11) shoots the ball over Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jon Leuer (30) during the second half at New Orleans Arena. The Pelicans won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Pelicans were without Anthony Davis, which almost seemed to make it a fair game with Marc Gasol out for the Grizzlies. Memphis looked like it was getting back on track with having both Allen and Davis back, and it showed in the first quarter when they scored 34 points. Zach Randolph started the game with eight points in the first quarter, again it seemed like the Grizzlies were going to get back in the win column. Then the Grizzlies scored a combined 31 points in the second and third quarters and Randolph only had five total points the rest of the game, leading to a 104-98 loss. Again Prince was nowhere to be found with another four-point night in 23 minutes. The lone bright spots were the big men off the bench Leuer lead the team with 19 points and Davis added 12 points of his own. This was a tough loss for Memphis as it shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3 and out-rebounded the Pelicans by 11. The game was the Grizzlies to lose and they could not slow down the Pelicans, allowing them to score 104 points and shoot 51 percent, while hitting nine 3s.
Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Again the Grizzlies started off slow in the first quarter with 17 points and they gave up 28. Minnesota never looked back from the fast start in that first quarter, yes Memphis tried to come back but could not get overcome the slow start. Mike Conley was playing well until he left in the fourth quarter with a thigh bruise; he led the team scoring with 28 points. Now Conley is having a career year, he is averaging six more points than his career average. However, there is a disturbing trend when Conley leads the team in points, which has happened seven times, but the Grizzlies have only won a single game. The Grizzlies are at their best when Conley is distributing, helping the rest of the team is scoring. After the 101-93 loss Memphis is now 2-5 in the month of December, with many other big games coming up this month the Grizzlies need to find a way to scrap out some wins.