Game preview: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies
For the first time this season the New Orleans Pelicans are heading to the road to play basketball, as they get set to face a division foe for the second straight game and one that is as fair away stylistically from the Dallas Mavericks as possible. After two games where offense came easy the Pelicans now must be prepared for a slugfest against a big, physical Memphis Grizzlies team that is 3-0 this season with three meat-grinder style wins.
Memphis won their first game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-101 on October 29 before sweeping a back-to-back with a win over the Indiana Pacers 97-89 on Friday and one over the Charlotte Hornets in a horrifyingly ugly 71-69 game on Saturday. Marc Gasol has lead the Grizzlies this season with 24.7 points per game as he has shown a new-found aggression on the offensive end while starting point guard Mike Conley has struggled. Conley has shot just 34 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three-point range this season which has been a big reason why the Memphis offense has struggled.
The Pelicans meanwhile are still trying to find some production from bench players not named Ryan Anderson, but they should feel good about the second half of Saturday’s loss to Dallas. New Orleans turned in an incredible third quarter during which they looked unstoppable on offense and good enough on defense to be a playoff team, even in the tough Western Conference. Tyreke Evans led the charge by knocking in jumpers, attacking the lane, finding open teammates and doing basically anything the Pelicans needed from him. Anthony Davis continued to be a super duper star as well with 31 points and 15 rebounds while still leaving a feeling that he could play better.
When and where: 7 pm CT at the Fed Ex Forum in Memphis.
How to watch: The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports New Orleans.
Injury Report:
Memphis: Courtney Lee is out (concussion)
New Orleans: None
Probable Starters:
Memphis: PG Mike Conley, SG Tony Allen, SF Tayshaun Prince, PF Zach Randolph, C Marc Gasol
New Orleans: PG Jrue Holiday, SG Eric Gordon, SF Tyreke Evans, PF Anthony Davis, C Omer Asik
Other players to watch:
Memphis: Vince Carter, Quincy Pondexter, Beno Udrih, Kosta Koufos
New Orleans: Ryan Anderson, Austin Rivers
What to watch for:
Can New Orleans make open shots?
It seems like such an obvious thing to watch but for New Orleans the game may be decided by the answer. The Pelicans have missed a bunch of pretty open looks so far this season, especially from behind the arc and doing that against Memphis is a death sentence. The Grizzlies won’t give up a lot of open shots so when New Orleans gets them they need to knock them down if they want a chance to win. At some point the slump has to end, maybe that time is tonight.
Can Omer Asik catch?
Omer Asik doesn’t have great hands. At least three times a game he fumbles a good pass from one of his teammates in traffic and it makes scoring more difficult then it should have been. If he does that against Memphis things are going to be even tougher than normal. This might be a game where the Pelicans go away from Asik pick-and-rolls some thanks to the combination of Asik’s hands and Marc Gasol’s defense. Either way how many possessions get fumbled away bears watching.
Does Anthony Davis stay out of foul trouble?
The Grizzlies don’t really have a player that can defend Anthony Davis (not that anyone does). Marc Gasol is probably their best option but using Gasol means that the backbone of the Grizzlies defense is preoccupied with the best player on the floor. Expect Zach Randolph to get the call, at least early, and Davis to burn him for plenty of easy buckets. Unless of course, Davis gets in foul trouble trying to defend Randolph. According to ESPN.com data, Davis gives up 40 pounds to Randolph which could be a problem if the Grizzlies big man gets early position on the block. Davis should be able to use his length to make life hard on Randolph but if he picks up an early foul or two it could spell trouble for the Pelicans.