Memphis Grizzlies Look to Snip Brooklyn

Jan 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies take on the Brooklyn Nets today in Memphis, Tennessee–in hopes of achieving a season sweep of the Eastern Conference club.

These two teams met on the hardwood just under a month ago. Jeff Green was new to the Grizzlies’ locker room. The Memphis squad tried to build some chemistry as well as momentum. They have done just that.

The 21-30 Nets are currently one game out of the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. They are scrapping for each and every win they can get. While they have a not-so-appealing record, Brooklyn has been injury-plagued for a large portion of the season.

The Memphis Grizzlies need to hit the Nets first and play hard for a full 48 minutes. While this will not be a “free” win in any way for the Grizzlies, the schedule gets tougher from here on out. They need to build up steam before they play the OKC Thunder (Wednesday) and later head into a well-deserved break. Their playoff push will follow.

Below are the details of this matchup to get you up to speed before watching the Grizzlies take the court–looking to improve to 39-13 on the season.

Starting Fives

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Mike Conley (point guard), Courtney Lee (shooting guard), Jeff Green (small forward), Zach Randolph (power forward), Marc Gasol (center)

BROOKLYN NETS: Jarrett Jack (point guard), Alan Anderson (shooting guard), Joe Johnson (small forward), Kevin Garnett (power forward), Mason Plumlee (center)

Live Feed

Sir Charles In Charge

Things to Watch

• Can Lopez overpower Gasol?
• Memphis must halt Plumlee’s energy
• Guard play
• Battle of the Benches
• Green-er Grass

Determining Factors

The last time these two teams met, a few weeks ago, the Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol won the battle in the paint against Brook Lopez. Slightly. Lopez has the ability to go toe-to-toe with Big Spain on any given night. Both players are elite centers and whichever player wins this individual matchup may very well determine which team comes away with the victory.

Brooklyn’s Mason Plumlee is an athletic big that gets most of his points off of put-backs and slams. The Grizzlies’ frontline, especially their bench bigs, need to box out and keep a body on Plumlee so that he does not get any key rebounds leading to crucial buckets.

The Nets have an intriguing guard lineup with Deron Williams and Jarrett Jack seeing most of those minutes. Williams is an offensive specialist while Jarrett Jack can be a scoring threat as well as a solid defender. The Grizzlies’ Mike Conley will need to receive a helping hand from Courtney Lee and Beno Udrih in a major way, although Brooklyn will have their hands full when attempting to contain No. 11. The Nets’ Joe Johnson is consistently lighting up scoreboards across the league, so Tony Allen must contest each and every one of JJ’s shots in order to give Johnson a quiet night.

Jan 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee (1)during the second half at Barclays Center. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Brooklyn Nets 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

In the last head-to-head meeting, Brooklyn’s bench outscored the Grizzlies’ bench by a score of 37-28. Although the Nets are now without Mirza Teletovic, whom scored 12 in that outing, Memphis must come out ahead in this aspect of the game…which leads to the next point of emphasis.

Jeff Green was a reserve for Memphis when these teams last met. He had just become a member of the Grizzlies. He is now starting at small forward and this lineup change could cause major problems for the Nets. Memphis is rolling now–defeating the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. If Green has a big game, Memphis’ chances of winning increase greatly.

Key Notes

• The Nets have a former member of the Memphis Grizzlies on their team–Darius Morris–although he had a short tenure with Memphis.
• This will be just the second time the Grizzlies will play against former head coach Lionel Hollins since he parted ways with Memphis.
• Brooklyn will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
• Nets’ power forward Kevin Garnett may not play much versus Memphis due to him playing last night against Milwaukee.
• Brooklyn will be playing the second game of a back-to-back on Tuesday night.
• The Grizzlies are now first in the NBA in points allowed per game, seventh in FG%, ninth in FG% allowed, and 12th in team PPG.
• Brooklyn falls in the lower half of the NBA in the categories of points allowed per game (16th), FG% (18th), FG% allowed (18th), and team PPG (26th).

Injury Report

The Memphis Grizzlies are are keeping Vince Carter out with a left foot strain until at least after the NBA All-Star break. They are reporting no other known injuries.

The Brooklyn Nets list Mirza Teletovic out for the season due to a pulmonary embolus; otherwise, no known injuries.

Jan 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) defends against Jeff Green (32) of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Personal Prediction

Memphis came away with an 11-point win against the Nets last month. This time, I believe the Grizzlies will earn a 13-point home victory. Jeff Green has grown into a larger role with Memphis since last month and the Grizzlies are plowing through top teams. The Grizz needs this victory to gather momentum as the team looks forward to the All-Star break later in the week.

Game Time

This matchup is set to tip at 7:00 central time in Memphis, Tennessee at the FedEx Forum. The game can be found on SportSouth television and on the radio at 92.9FM WMFS.

Go Grizz!