Memphis Grizzlies vs New York Knicks Preview

Tonight, the Memphis Grizzlies visit Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks. Tipoff is set for 6:30 PM CST.

It’s Friday night, just got paid, so it’s the perfect time to reward yourself for a week of hard work by tuning in to kick it with the Grizz and the Knicks. Last time the Memphis Grizzlies took on the New York Knicks, the Grizzlies won thanks to 37 points from Marc Gasol, and in fairness, the Grizz also benefited from the absence of Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.

Memphis has won an estimable eight of the last nine games, with the most recent success coming from a road win against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Grizzlies, notably reserve forwards Jeff Green and Tony Allen, have played some of their best basketball of the year over the past month or so, and are poised to maintain that momentum during a visit to the Mecca of Basketball.

The Knicks hope to defend the home court by bouncing back from 111-105 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Derek Fisher‘s team found itself trailing the Pistons by 27 points, but fought back and fell only a couple swings shy of an historic comeback.

Tuning In:

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York City

Tv: Fox Sports Southeast

Radio: WMFS 92.9 fm

Game time: 6:30 CST/7:30 E

Injury Report: Who’s out for the Grizzlies?

Matt Barnes has been listed as day-to-day, and is expected to be “available” for tonight’s game in New York.

Brandan Wright may be ready to return from his knee injury sometime in the next few weeks, but he will not be playing tonight.

Jordan Adams, who has also been sidelined with a knee injury, is still recovering from his recent operation and also will not play anytime in the immediate future.

Who’s out for the Knicks?

Lance Thomas, who is recovering from a concussion, has been ruled out of tonight’s matchup, reports Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal.

Jose Calederon returned from a groin injury to play 12 minutes during last night’s loss to Detroit. It is unclear how many minutes the point guard will see tonight as the Knicks work him back into the rotation.

Keys to the Game for the guys in Beale Street Blue

Last time, we stated the Grizzlies would need a strong effort from Marc Gasol in order to beat the Knicks, and Gasol delivered with a mammoth game that included breaking his personal record for field goals made in a game. The Grizzlies have been playing well lately, so if they can sustain their recent play, that should suffice for another victory over a decent New York squad.

BUT, in case lighting is planning on striking for a second time, here is a bold prediction that if Grizzlies’ star Mike Conley decides he also wants to go for his season high against the Knicks, that will almost certainly ensure that the Grizzlies will leave the big apple with a victory. The matchup of Conley versus a banged up Calderon favors the Grizzlies, so go get ’em, Captain Clutch.

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Keys to the Game for the other guys

With Carmelo Anthony and likely Rookie of the Year Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks have plenty to throw at the Grizzlies’ grinding defense. As noted prior to the last meeting between the two teams, defending outside shooting has long been an Achilles heel for Memphis, so success from beyond the arc would be an obvious harbinger of victory for New York.

In regards to the threat of getting beat by an outside shooter, Green, Barnes, Allen, and the rest of the Grizzlies’ wings will need to be especially mindful of Arron Afflalo and Langston Galloway, who has continued to enjoy a breakout season.

While Robin Lopez was in a bit of slump when the Grizzlies last played the Knicks, Lopez is currently in the midst of his best stretch of basketball since he joined the Knicks. Lopez tallied a game-high 26 points against the Pistons last night, and may look for more offense against Memphis than he did last time.

For more information and insights on the Knicks, and apocryphal rumors about Mike Conley leaving Memphis to become a New York Knickerbocker, check out our Fansided affiliate, Daily Knicks.

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