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Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Keys To Victory In Phoenix

By Chris Kern

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 27: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 27, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 27: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 27, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 27: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 27, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 27: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 27, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Contain Booker And Ayton

The Phoenix Suns have struggled to start the season, losing seven straight after winning their season opener. Booker did miss three of those games due to injury though. He did play Friday night and should be good to go against Memphis.

Deandre Ayton has averaged 16.9 points and 11 rebounds per game. His excellent play makes him an early favorite to win rookie of the year.

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Ayton had a good game the last time these two teams played finishing with 24 points and 8 rebounds. That is his season high in scoring up to this point and he did it on a very efficient 12 of 13 shooting.

The Grizzlies allowed him to get open countless times at the free-throw line area. He was hitting that shot every time which led to him having such an efficient day.

Memphis felt like they could leave that open for him as they focused on making sure nobody else made a big impact. It worked out for them as they won in a big way.

Having Devin Booker out there makes them go with a completely different game plan. This is as good of a young duo as there is in the league today and they’re going to be tough to stop.

Booker has averaged 25.8 points and 6.6 assists per game in the five games he has played in. He has shot 7.6 threes per game in those games so they have to make sure he isn’t getting open looks.

Garrett Temple has been the primary defender thus far so I would expect him to be on Booker for a large part of Sunday night’s game. Temple is the best defender on the team at fighting through screens so they should be able to trust him on ball screens.

When the defense gets out of their rotation they need to make sure they know where Booker is at. They have struggled some with rotating to shooters so they’ll need to make sure to do a better job tonight.

If the Grizzlies can keep those two in check they should win the basketball game. That also is much easier said than done.

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