After getting blown out in their first meeting the Memphis Grizzlies will look to even the score against the Charlotte Hornets.
It hasn’t been easy for the Memphis Grizzlies in terms of accumulating wins this season. Currently the team sits at 16-15, good for the sixth-best record in a top-heavy Western Conference.
With a revenge game on the horizon and the Christmas holiday behind them, now is the time for the Grizzlies to hone in on truly turning their season around.
Last time Memphis faced off against the Charlotte Hornets it wasn’t a pretty outing. The Grizzlies got blown off of their home floor 123-99 and looked nothing like the defensive juggernaut they’ve been in recent years.
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This matchup isn’t any easier for Memphis with Al Jefferson back in the fold. The center had missed the Hornets’ previous five games due to a drug suspension and will be a key factor against Memphis’ talented frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
Randolph hasn’t been starting for the Grizzlies due to a move to “small-ball” by head coach Dave Joerger. The results are mixed as Memphis is still stuck in the middle of the conference.
Offense isn’t the Grizzlies’ top priority here. Yes the team needs to score points to win but Charlotte has quietly been humming on the offensive end scoring 101.9 points per game with a 105.0 offensive rating, both numbers good for top 11 in the NBA.
Memphis has been anemic on offense with Gasol as their leading scorer at only 16.1 points per game. Mike Conley specifically is capable of much more than his 15.0 points per game on 40.9 percent shooting.
It will take a good performance out of Conley to counteract point guard Kemba Walker on the Hornets who’s capable of scoring outbursts on any given night. As long as the Grizzlies can contain Walker and Jefferson and deny them the ball in good spots they have a chance.
However, if one or both get hot and draw the defense’s attention away from shooters like Nicolas Batum and Frank Kaminsky then it could be a long night for the Grizzlies.
Whichever team moves the ball effectively and gets clean looks at the basket will win this contest. Memphis has the talent to play well on the defensive side of the ball and the Hornets have been in the top 10 in the league in terms of opponent’s points per game.
The stats this year say Charlotte will win this game convincingly thanks to their balance on both ends of the floor. But the Grizzlies have been known to pull out a win they probably shouldn’t have gotten, and this seems like one of those nights.
Revenge is a motivator like no other. Getting blown out at home is on Memphis’ mind without question. Look for the Grizzlies to get a nice victory on the road in this situation.