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Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Detroit Pistons: Game Preview

By Brendan Smart

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Jevon Carter #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Jevon Carter #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies finished their Utah Summer League at (2-1). Today, the Grizzlies start their Las Vegas tournament against the Detroit Pistons.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been acknowledged as one of the best Summer League teams heading into the Vegas tournament. It makes sense, outside of their last game against the San Antonio Spurs, Memphis was laying it on their opponents. Not necessarily offensively, but defensively as well.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 5: Derrick White #4 of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. /

Of course, it helps when the identity of a team starts at the defensive end of the floor. For the Detroit Pistons, it doesn’t look as good as it should. Not a lot of big names on their roster, and lost on day one 90-63 to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Pistons just looked lost yesterday afternoon in their match-up against the Bucks. Constantly running into missed defensive rotations, and just ridiculous turnover, after ridiculous turnover. Now, the Pistons have some good big men to match up against Jaren Jackson Jr., and Ivan Rabb.

Keys for Memphis:

Don’t get comfortable: I’d be lying if I said Memphis isn’t the better team here, but we’ve seen this in numerous other sports. A good team plays down to their opponent. It happened in Utah when the Grizzlies built that 25 point lead, and barely escaped with a victory just several days ago.

Rebound, rebound, rebound! The Grizzlies have been hot and cold on the glass, but if they dominate the boards like I know they can, the Grizzlies take this one easily. The Pistons only real leverage is their bigs, so if Memphis can eliminate them, then this could be over quickly.

Keep talking: We have seen this team play sound defense, and it all starts with this team talking on the defensive end. Defense wins championships, and in the Grizzlies case, could have them winning Summer League, because none of these teams play good defense.

T.V. Information: 

The Memphis Grizzlies will tip of their Las Vegas Summer League action at 8:00 P.M. C.T., on NBA T.V.

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