Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Keys To Victory Vs The Chicago Bulls
By AJ Salah
Contain LaVine And Markkanen
Recently, the Grizzlies have had to enter games with a bunch of adjustments in mind, trying to sacrifice margins of defense for offense, in vain hopes of outscoring the other team.
The Chicago Bulls provide the uber-rare opportunity for Memphis to ditch that gameplan; they’re currently the only team rated worse on offense than the Grizzlies.
Beyond Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen, Chicago is starved for scoring depth. Assuming Dunn and Porter are still ailing, they field no other double-digit scorers, relying on the likes of Wayne Selden for buckets. Memphis fans know all too well how that looks.
It seems trite and obvious to make this a key to victory, but the opportunity for Memphis to flex muscle on offense is so rare. If either LaVine or Markkanen has an off night, Chicago could be sunk by default. Pressure from Avery Bradley and the resurgent Joakim Noah will greatly aid that cause.
J.B. Bickerstaff would be wise to throw fresh legs and double-teams at the Bulls’ two bucket-getters. Chicago lacks playmakers, experience and roster cohesion, meaning frenetic attempts to turn Selden or Shaquille Harrison into secondary scorers could create a flurry of turnovers.
dark. Next. Injury Nearly Prevented Conley from Returning to Top-30 Status
With a roster as stripped by injury and trades as Memphis’, every game will be hard-fought down the stretch. But with the Bulls, they have perhaps met their match in terms of a depleted platoon, making for a very winnable game.