Colin Rafferty –
Your Memphis Grizzlies are back in action tonight as they take on the 10-36, New Orleans Pelicans.
Brevin Knight is right; we need to beat this team. He said that after Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, because he knows what we know, they can very well lose to this team.
Word from the Grizzlies PR is that both Santi Aldama and Ja Morant are listed as OUT for tonight’s game, great grand wonderful.
Only 2 games back and Ja is hitting the bench again, this time for a left elbow UCL sprain.
Just on a quick search of what that injury entails, it is inflammation on the inside part of the elbow. Usually involves pain, tenderness, swelling and instability on the inner elbow. This is caused by forceful throwing or overuse. How to treat it is with rest, ice, PT, and anti-inflammatories.
As the trade rumors swirl around the Memphis star, this is not a sign of good things. Sure, he isn’t always going to be healthy, but without him they are a completely different team.
We saw it the past few games, he was scoring big points, distributing the ball, and they had won one, while being in it to win the second one on Wednesday after coming back from Europe.
I had hoped he would be on the floor at least until the trade deadline, but with this news I have no clue when he might be back, it could be days, it could be a month, just depends on the situation, I guess.
The last time the Grizzlies played the Pelicans was all the way back in November during the NBA Cup group stage games. The Grizz won 133-128 in an overtime. Jaren led the way in scoring putting up 27 pts and for the Pelicans they were led by Jose Alvarado who posted 24 pts.
The Pelicans had come out hot in the first quarter, but the Grizz were able to keep them in check just enough to force overtime. They were also helped by Zach Edey’s 21 pt 15 rebound night, as well as Vince Williams dishing out 15 assists.
There is a path, it won’t be easy, but we have seen them beat them twice before. The Grizzlies are 2-0 on the season against the Pelicans. They will finish up their series next Friday (1/30) inside the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans.
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray, who has yet to make his season debut, Jose Alvarado, who is a Grizz-killer, and Herbert Jones is listed as QUESTIONABLE, but they expect him to be out.
Led by Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, and Saddiq Bey the Pelicans are going to try and go at the basket and set up guys outside.
The Pelicans are in the bottom third of scoring, one of the worst defensive teams in addition to having one of the worst point differentials in the league (-7.3). They come into the game on a 3-game losing streak after dropping games to the Pacers, Rockets, and Pistons.
They lost 112-104 on Wednesday to the Pistons, where former Memphis Tiger Jalen Duren put up a 20-point 15 rebound double-double.
During the month of January, the Pelicans have shot 42.2% from the field and 31.7% from three-point land. If the Grizzlies want to win this game, they will need to make sure the three-point line is accounted for and that they don’t get easy shots off.
Teams that shoot poorly on the season always seem to have a career night against this team. That has gone on for at least the last 5 years.
They will also need to limit the number of rebounds guys like Derrick Queen and Yves Missi get, especially on the offensive side. The Grizzlies have been poor at grabbing defensive rebounds and it always leads to a second chance point that looks way too easy.
Photo Credits: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal
This will be a dog fight no doubt, and with Zion Williamson out on the court the Grizzlies must make sure that they aren’t getting into foul trouble early.
Jaren will need to be on his p’s and q’s, Jock Landale will need to come up big, and the offense must take care of the ball.
Keys to victory: Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells lighting it up, Jaren taking on the role of the dominate scorer, win the turnover and rebounding battle while also getting plenty of assists from everybody.
Cedric Coward, it might be your time to really shine. GG you too, bud.
Vince will need to be on that distributing the ball like he was the candy man again. There are several teams that he just shows up for, I believe this is one of those teams. He will undoubtably be talking smack and trying to get under the Pelicans skin, just don’t throw the ball away, please.
Konchar, we would love to see some productive minutes out of you, he shows up when we need a good stop and has a good knack of knowing when and where to cut or pass the ball.
He knows his role and plays it well. I’m not convinced he should be getting 20+ minutes, but he does make an impact with a few steals and assists when he on the floor.
A full team effort is needed, they have shown they are resilient but cannot finish the starts they have gotten out to, tonight has to be different.
With the prospect of a winter storm warning throughout most America, the Grizzlies will try to warm the hearts of fans by getting a win tonight.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM CST inside FedEx Forum, tonight is ‘Faith & Family Night’ and boy do the Grizzlies need it. Faith that injuries do not blow this team up, faith that they can get the win, and faith that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
It is always darkest before the dawn they say, but they never mention how long that darkness would be; hopefully it won’t last much longer.
Bundle up, wear the bear, and cheer our boys on to victory.
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