Collison Shines as Grizzlies Lose 4th Straight
I thought rollercoasters were only for amusement parks. Well, the Grizzlies’ loss to the Kings last night sums up their rollercoaster season.
Since the All-Star break and the deactivation of Chandler Parsons, the Grizzlies have had their fair share of woes. A four-game road trip weeks before playoffs was something that appeared would do more harm than good, but it would also give Fizdale a chance to let the rookies shine. After a tough loss to the Warriors, Deyonta Davis and Wade Baldwin, both recently recalled from the D-League, and new signee Wayne Selden could’ve received playing time in this game. Fizdale seeked other options from the bench for scoring.
With Marc Gasol out, Troy Daniels (10 points) and Brandan Wright (11 points) put up a solid effort on both ends of the court. Zach Randolph notched his 18th double-double of the season with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Mike Conley led the team again, adding 22 points and nine assists.
Offensively, the team’s effort was subpar. Shooting 34 percent from the field and 19 percent from 3-point land doesn’t produce winning basketball. Sacramento capitalized on defensive rebounds and fast break opportunities. The Grizzlies were unable to find a defensive strategy capable of stopping the Kings’ fast paced offense led by Collison, who had 23 points and two game-sealing free throws.
Why The Grizzlies Lost:
Despite great efforts from Conley and Randolph, the remainder of the roster failed to produce. Carter, Harrison, Ennis and Allen all failed to score double digits. The Grizzlies’ defense failed to contain the Kings’ backcourt (Collison with 23; Hield with 14).
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Moving Into Wednesday’s Game:
Fans have keep their eyes peeled for sightings of Deyonta Davis and Wade Baldwin. Both put up great numbers while in Iowa but are unable to find playing time in the big leagues.
The key to winning Wednesday’s game against the Pacers is to mix up the rotation. Allow Baldwin to run the court, Davis to work the paint and give Harrison a rest. Perhaps a new lineup rotation would be a breath of fresh air, giving players much-needed momentum while fighting for a playoff spot.