Memphis Grizzlies: Omri Casspi Seizes Opportunity In Kyle Anderson’s Absence

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without Kyle Anderson for 2-4 weeks. It seems that Omri Casspi may have earned himself a large role during that stretch.

The Memphis Grizzlies have struggled to win games and it will only get harder without Kyle Anderson. Omri Casspi is one of the guys who will be called upon to step up in his absence.

Anderson had been playing so well before his injury and he was one of the few bright spots on a team with so much going wrong.

In the 41 games he has played in he is averaging 7.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. He has continued to improve on the offensive end of the floor by starting to knock down mid-range jumpers.

He gives this team another guy who contribute in many different ways on the offensive end and create for others to help Conley play off-ball a little bit more.

His defense will be missed as well with his 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He does so much more than his stats show.

Unlike what we are accustomed too he did show us some games where he filled up the stat sheet. He recorded his first career triple-double in a loss against the Brooklyn Nets. In that game, he finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Though he doesn’t put up those numbers every night that is the kind of impact that he brings in each game this team plays.

While many fans and media don’t give Anderson the credit he deserves the people who have seen him play know how much he does for the teams’ he has played for.

The Grizzlies went with Jevon Carter in the starting lineup against Houston but it was Casspi who took the majority of the minutes left by Anderson’s void.

Carter had success defending James Harden in the previous matchups but that didn’t matter in this game. Nobody had an answer for Harden as he exploded for a 57 point performance.

Casspi was able to contribute in a variety of ways and he was able to score the basketball for a Grizzlies team that failed to reach 100 for the 4th time in their last five games.

Despite being in the starting lineup Carter played just 15 minutes. He did score eight first-quarter points though on two three-point shots and two free-throws.

Casspi was able to give this team a scoring boost especially in the first half. He finished with 12 points on 4-6 shooting including 2-2 from three-point range.

The way the game went it felt like J.B. Bickerstaff was impressed so I would be surprised if he wasn’t in the starting lineup next game.

The way Justin Holiday has played since coming over has been very disappointing otherwise he would likely be the starter during this stretch.

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The Grizzlies need to pick up wins during this stretch or their playoff hopes will be all but over. If Casspi can provide a boost and hit a few shots every game like he did today then that would be a big lift for this team.

He has shown on various different teams that he can step up when needed and that’s what this team needs. The next couple of weeks are going to be big for him and maybe he could even become a trade candidate with the trade deadline coming up.

On the season Casspi is averaging 5.4 points and 3 rebounds in the 31 games he has played in. They will need him to stretch the floor with success as he is making 35% of his three-point shots.

This team has a lot of issues but if Casspi can solidify the small forward spot for the time being that would be a huge relief for a scrambling Grizzlies squad.