Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Keys to Foiling the Playoff Push of LeBron James, Lakers
Battle on the Boards
Perhaps the strongest department within the Los Angeles Lakers’ current roster is rebounding. L.A. is the league’s second-best club in total rebounds per game at 56.7. Again, they are slightly better in road scenarios, which does not bode well for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Alternatively, the Grizzlies rank dead last in the NBA on the boards. They notch an average of 48.0 per game, and over the past three games since retooling their roster, it has dipped to 43.3 in those outings.
Related Story. Memphis Grizzlies: Starting Ivan Rabb is the Key to the Rebuild. light
As Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to sit in order to health from a minor injury, Memphis remains without one of their bigger bodies in the frontcourt. This will place supreme reliance on Ivan Rabb, Jonas Valanciunas, and Joakim Noah.
Still, Rabb is developing by the game and Valanciunas is still getting acclimated to the Memphis Grizzlies’ schemes and game plans. This is a game that Noah must come alive, especially defensively. If there is any particular matchup that intrigues him the most, it is most certainly ones that feature LeBron James in the opposing lineup.
Memphis must battle in the paint without collecting early fouls since they are indeed shorthanded at the power forward position at the moment. Poor fouls will result in a lot of ground to make up over the course of 48 minutes. The worst time to play LeBron James — regardless of the year — is while trailing.
Next. Memphis Grizzlies Proving Chandler Parsons' Worth to Themselves, Other NBA Teams. dark
In what should be a tightly-contested matchup, tip time is set for 7:00 PM Central Time inside the Grindhouse. The winner will inch closer to their ultimate 2018-19 season goal.