Memphis Grizzlies Set to Face Red-Hot Hawks

Jan 12, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague (0) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Atlanta Hawks 108 – 101. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

On Wednesday, January 7, 2015, the 25-9 Memphis Grizzlies will travel to Atlanta to play the NBA’s hottest team right now–the 26-8 Hawks.

The Grizzlies are looking to gain some traction as they have been reeling a little during the games that power forward Zach Randolph has missed in the past couple of weeks. Atlanta is next in line on the 82-game schedule for Memphis and this would be a prime opportunity for this team to receive a road victory.

The Hawks have been somewhat of a surprise team this season–currently standing atop of the East. With the way they have been executing their game plan, you can see why have been so successful. Atlanta has a great frontline, a solid backcourt, lockdown defenders, and lights-out shooters. Memphis is one of only a few teams that matches up exceptionally well with ATL.

Last season, Memphis swept the season series 2-0 versus Atlanta; however, both games were decided by a total of 10 points. Center Al Horford is now healthy and the Hawks are much improved in nearly every area. Atlanta could definitely transition into being a contending team over the course of the remainder of the season.

Speaking of last season against the Hawks, you may remember when this bit of history was made by the Memphis Grizzlies. Maybe not so much good history. The Hawks had a 15-1 free-throw attempt advantage over Memphis. Yes, the Grizz shot just one free-throw–a make by Courtney Lee–during the entire 48-minute contest. Yes, the Grizzlies were still able to win!

Here is a clip from that game almost one year ago.

Hopefully the Grizzlies will be rewarded with more free-throw attempts on Wednesday than they were on that particular February night.

Below, you can find all the information you need in preparation for Grizz game 34 of 82.

Starting Fives (subject to change)

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: Mike Conley (point guard), Courtney Lee (shooting guard), Tony Allen (small forward), Jarnell Stokes (power forward), Marc Gasol (center)

ATLANTA HAWKS: Jeff Teague (point guard), Kyle Korver (shooting guard), DeMarre Carroll (small forward), Paul Millsap (power forward), Al Horford (center)

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  • Things to Watch:

    1. Battle of the Bigs
    2. Awareness of all-around game
    3. Contest the shots!
    4. Huge bench contributions
    5. Spreading the floor

    Determining Factors

    •  There are only several teams that can compete toe-to-toe with the Grizzlies in the paint. Marc Gasol will need to be elite in this matchup, especially since Z-Bo is not guaranteed to be available again on Wednesday night. Gasol has a height advantage over Horford, Millsap, and others, but the Atlanta big men are very athletic. The Horford and Millsap tandem are full of force. Millsap and bench contributor Pero Antic can even step out behind the arc to nail three-pointers, too. Whoever is helping Gasol, whether it be Randolph, Stokes, Jon Leuer, or Kosta Koufos, they will need to be on top of their game and be willing to shut down Atlanta in the painted area.
    • Aside from having a strong frontcourt, the Hawks have some great shooters, floor stretchers, penetrators, and defenders. They really are a complete team and they are rolling through most teams. It is no fluke that they have lost only eight games thus far and are on a five-game winning streak heading into their battle with Memphis. The Gasol-Horford and Conley-Teague head-to-head matchups are both equally intriguing and will need to be closely watched.
    • Atlanta is typically a good team when it comes to spacing the floor with shooters and that could not be any more true this year. Tony Allen needs to lead to the Grizz as always with lockdown defense along the perimeter. Atlanta will most likely splash any clean looks from long distance and any NBA fan knows that Kyle Korver can get hot from three-point range easier than anyone in the league. The Grizz cannot allow any space when Hawk shooters are looking to soar on offense.
    • One factor that may be most important in deciding the outcome of this game could be bench contributions. Everyone must have productive minutes for the Grizz. This would be a great time for Vince Carter to have another huge performance, such as the one he had against the Warriors. Perhaps Beno Udrih and Jarnell Stokes will give the bench a lift? Maybe Prince, too? The Grizzlies will need all the helping hands they can get.
    • Atlanta is a good defensive club and they will pressure the Grizzlies on Wednesday. With or without Randolph, Memphis needs to spread the floor and allow the offense to flow. They cannot settle for cluttered lanes and contested jumpers! The Hawks normally put a lot of points on the board and the Grizzlies will have to outweigh them on the offensive end in the paint and behind the arc if they hope to snag a big victory.

    Key Notes

    • Former Grizzly DeMarre Carroll is averaging 11.6 points on 44.5% shooting to go with his six rebounds per game.
    • This is the first of two regular season meetings between the Grizz and Hawks.
    • This begins a two-game road trip for Memphis.
    • Atlanta is sixth in the league in field goal percentage (46.7%) with Memphis trailing closely in seventh (46.6%).
    • Memphis is tied with Atlanta for fifth place in the NBA in points allowed per game (97.6).
    • Atlanta has a 1.5-game lead on second-best Chicago in the Eastern Conference standings.
    • The Grizzlies are tied with Dallas for third place in the Western Conference (three games behind first place).
    • The Atlanta Hawks are also sixth in field goal percentage allowed (43.9%) and ninth in points per game (102.6).

    Injury Report

    The Memphis Grizzlies are still evaluating Zach Randolph on a day-to-day basis.

    The Atlanta Hawks list no known injuries at this time.

    Personal Prediction

    Zach Randolph’s absence has been major. He is the backbone of our beloved Grizzly squad. It has been no question that the Grizzlies are a MUCH better team with Z-Bo on the court–that has been reflected in the record and statistics. If Z-Bo cannot go on Wednesday night, Atlanta will most likely score over 100 points, as usual for them, so Memphis will have to have the hot hand on offense. I predict that the Grizz will prevail, regardless of having Z-Bo available. I believe Memphis will win a close road game by four points when they take on the Hawks.

    Game Time

    This heated matchup has a tip time of 6:30 P.M. (Memphis time) in Atlanta, Georgia. It can be seen locally on SportSouth television or . It can be heard on WMFS radio.

    Go Grizz!