Can the Memphis Grizzlies keep the 8th seed in the Western Conference?
New Orleans Pelicans: August 3rd (6:30 PM ET)
The Grizzlies played the Pelicans twice during the regular season, the first game was at home and the Pelicans were still without Zion Williamson. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies Jrue Holiday went nuclear from downtown and made seven 3’s finishing with 36 points.
On the Grizzlies side, Dillon Brooks had another great shooting night with 31 points and nine rebounds, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed well but they were the only two who made a significant dent.
The rematch was in New Orleans now with Zion Williamson, the game was anticlimactic as Jackson Jr. was suspended from the previous as he left the bench after a fight broke out between Elfrid Payton and Jae Crowder.
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Without Jackson, the Grizzlies didn’t stand a chance against Williamson who scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, with help by Lonzo Ball who had 19 points, 8 assists plus J.J. Redick who’s 16 points of the bench give the Pelicans the win.
With Williamson leaving the bubble it’s hard to evaluate what team the Grizzlies will actually be facing however, the overall philosophy should be the same. In both games, Brandon Ingram and Jure Holiday put the Grizzlies backcourt on ice and the Pelicans overall were raining three’s as in the two games the Pelicans made 36 threes compared to the Grizzlies 15 made three’s.
Assuming Zion will not make it back in time, that should allow Jackson Jr, to try defending the perimeter more as there won’t be a major interior threat. Reducing J.J. Redick, Jrue Holiday and Nicolo Melli’s attempts from outside while harassing Ingram on the perimeter should hopefully get Memphis a much-needed win against the 10th placed Pelicans.