Memphis Grizzlies Weekly: What Should the Grizzlies Do?
Looking Back
Wednesday December 18 at Dallas Mavericks
Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies power forward
Zach Randolph(50) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Grizzlies were struggling when they came into Dallas to face the Mavericks, they had lost four in a row and did not have Mike Conley for this games due to injury. Furthermore, Tayshaun Prince was out for his first game this year with a sore knee. So the starting in Conley’s place was Jerryd Bayless, and in Prince’s place was Mike Miller. Bayless had a game he would soon like to forget going 3-13 from the floor in 34 minutes. Miller did not fare much better as he only attempted five shots in 30 minutes. As a whole the team shot 40% from the field and only 64% from the free throw line. Memphis fell behind early and could not score enough or come up with stops to close the 13 point gap at halftime. This loss dropped Memphis to five games under .500 for the first time December of 2010. With having two days off before the Grizzlies headed to New York, the talks ramped up about what to do for this season, press forward or look to the future (tank).
Saturday December 21 at New York Knicks
With Christmas only four days away the Grizzlies got an early present by going to New York to face a terrible Knicks team. Another present was getting Mike Conley back after missing two games. The biggest surprise was the starting lineup change, Dave Joerger decided to shake things up and sit his starting center Kosta Koufos and play Ed Davis. Furthermore, with Prince still out instead of Miller Coach Joerger went with James Johnson, just signed from the D-League. The moves worked well for Memphis as Davis had 10 points in 25 minutes, and Johnson five points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. In addition, Koufos played much better coming off the bench, going 5-8 from the field with 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds in only 16 minutes. However, the biggest reason for the win is lack of defense by the Knicks. The Grizzlies were able to shoot 48% from the field and they out rebounded the Knicks 56-29, and Tyson Chandler did play in the game. It was good to see the Grizzlies stop their five game losing streak, but it was a game the Grizzlies should have won, even with all the injuries.
Monday December 23 vs. Utah Jazz
When the Utah Jazz came to town, it marked back to back games playing against eight win teams. In addition the Jazz were dead last in the West, so a loss here would have been extremely bad for the Grizzlies. However, the Grizzlies took care of the Jazz winning by 10, but it was not easy as they allowed the Jazz to shot 47% and hit 11 three pointers. The Grizzlies were able to play just a little bit better shooting 55% from downtown by hitting 11 threes of their own. Also the Grizzlies finally scored over 100 for the first time in five games. Zach Randolph lead the team in points 22, rebounds 10, and assists seven. Furthermore, Koufos was inserted back into the starting lineup and was playing like first of the year Koufos, scoring 10 points on 5-7 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds.
Thursday December 26 at Houston Rockets
On November 25th the Houston Rockets visited the Grizzlies and Memphis had a 12 point lead at half thanks to a 12 point quarter by the Rockets. However, the Rockets scored 38 points in the 4th quarter to beat the Grizzlies 93-86. Then last night the Grizzlies took an eight point lead into halftime, it helped that the Rockets only scored 19 points in the 2nd quarter. Then the Rockets score 34 points in the 4th quarter to beat the Grizzlies 100-92, sound familiar. The Grizzlies again struggled on offense, shooting only 41% from the field, 28% from downtown, and 55% from the free throw line. The only thing that kept Memphis in the game was their defense, they held Houston to 44% and only five three pointers. The biggest difference in the game was free throws, the Rockets shot 33-40 just under 83%. The Grizzlies only shot 20 free throws in the game that was 20 less than the Rockets, James Harden shot 25 free throws himself. Besides Randolph, James Johnson played well in his 28 minutes scoring 12 points and five rebounds. He will get his chance to make a difference with Pondexter out for the year.