Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs Brooklyn Nets

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 6: Marc Gasol
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 6: Marc Gasol

The Memphis Grizzlies have lost seven straight. Is a matchup with the lowly Nets just what they need?

A date with the Brooklyn Nets is usually a welcoming sight on any team’s upcoming schedule. For the Memphis Grizzlies, it might be arriving at just the right time.

After a spiriting 7-4 start to the season, the Grizz have dropped seven straight, nosediving down the West standings. Along the way, they’ve played themselves out of games in every way imaginable, while losing Mike Conley indefinitely.

Enter the Nets — humbled Eastern doormats who over-achieve by committee, and haven’t beaten an at-the-time plus-.500 team this season. Both clubs are mired in losing streaks (the Nets’ sits at three), and coming off painful defeats this week. Who will steer themselves in the right direction?

Negating Conley’s Absence

Memphis needs to do something about its shooting as they’re averaging 90.25 ppg on 28.1 percent from 3-point land over its last four games. The correlation between those marks – both of which would be league-worsts by a mile – is undeniable. Playing without their best shooter/playmaker doesn’t exactly help.

Conley’s injury robs us of the game’s key matchup with D’Angelo Russell — who’s also out due to injury. It also deprives Memphis of their best means of halting Brooklyn’s attack. Russell may be out, but backup Spencer Dinwiddie is a dark horse MIP candidate and perhaps the NBA’s steadiest playmaker this year.

Gasol Takes On

While the point guard dynamic could be problematic, Memphis holds an ace in the post: Marc Gasol — who’ll get to toy with Brooklyn’s array of either undisciplined or undersized defenders. He’ll be the best player on the floor by far and can exert an edge on the glass against a poor rebounding team.

The silver lining from Memphis’ Nuggets gaffe was JaMychal Green finding his stroke in a big way (21 points on a flawless 9/9 from the field). He and Chandler Parsons can keep pesky swing defenders like Allen Crabbe and the suddenly-good-again DeMarre Carroll honest, and away from Gasol.

Slo Down

Tempo control will be key to this game. The Nets play at the NBA’s fastest pace, while Memphis grinds along at the third-slowest. Forcing Brooklyn into a halfcourt war of attrition will be advantageous.

Brooklyn’s 26th-ranked defense likely won’t be able to return the favor. Their lack of rim protection (once Gasol swiftly puts Jarrett Allen in foul trouble) will be key for a Memphis team that’s totally lost its outside touch. Visions of Gasol high-post surgery and Tyreke Evans getting to the rim at will come to mind.

Hunting Season

The Nets seem like a prime foe to be stumbling onto Beale Street:  An inexperienced, hyperactive team whose defense is liable to cough up the easy buckets Memphis should seek right now. These wounded bears need some prey to feast upon, and nurture a little positive momentum while they still can.

The Grizzlies’ schedule beyond this game is a nightmare stretch, with the Hawks as the lone gimme amid the Spurs (twice), Cavs, Wolves, Knicks, Raptors, Thunder, Heat, Wizards, Celtics and Warriors. The Grizzlies can’t afford to come out flat on Sunday.

Next: Quick Hits: Grizz 92, Nuggets 104

Game Info

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Brooklyn Nets

WHERE: FedEx Forum — Memphis, TN

WHEN: 5:00 PM – ct

HOW TO WATCH: Fox Sports Southeast

HOW TO LISTEN: 92.9 ESPN