Open Thread: Game 12
Regular Season Game 12
Wizards (4-7) at Grizzlies (2-9)
Fed-Ex Forum
8 PM
CSN and NBA League Pass
It's a must-win game tonight, as the struggling Wizards take on the even-worse Grizzlies tonight on the road. The Wizards have come close at Cleveland, Orlando, and Houston, but are still searching for their first road win. Tonight should be the best chance, as the Grizzlies are struggling and are among the worst teams in the league.
Grizzlies blogs: The Beale Street Beat
Memphis has really struggled this season after star Pau Gasol went down in the World Championships. Gasol is out until January, forcing the Grizzlies to rely on a lot of unproven youngsters, one of which, Kyle Lowry, is out for tonight and probably much longer.
That's not to say Memphis has not been competitive. They haven't been blown out of any game, with the 13 point loss to Charlotte being their largest margin of defeat. They have close losses to Cleveland, Houston, Dallas, and Sacramento, all of which are pretty good teams. Without Gasol, they've been forced to rely on youngsters like Rudy Gay, Hakim Warrick, and Lawrence Roberts and aging veterans like Eddie Jones and Chucky Atkins.
Essentially, the Wizards should win, but I don't think it will be easy. Memphis will hang around long enough to make this a game, and the Wizards can easily be defeated if they let Memphis hang around. The key, once again, will be getting everyone going. Arenas and Butler should be able to explode for a ton of points, but Arenas can't be coming down and jacking up threes every time. On the other side of the ball, the Grizzlies run a disciplined slow-down offense, relying on perimeter shots to succeed. This means the Wizards need to continue to do a good job of fighting through screens and contesting every shot.
Ultimately, I expect a Wizards victory, but it will be closer than you think.
Prediction: Wizards 97, Grizzlies 89
If you're watching or listening, drop a comment with your thoughts.
[editor's note: The Basketball Jones apparently agrees with my prediction, as they've made this game their "Book it!" of the night.]
Labels: Game previews, Memphis Grizzlies, Open Threads
posted by Pradamaster @ 2:10 PM
God this is sick!
Apparently, the anti-Wizards are out there again.
Get to the rim! That's what Memphis is doing!
5:55 PM
Alright, decent run at the end of the half to cut it to four.
Still, there's no way the Wizards should have that free throw disadvantage. That's a major problem that needs to be fixed.
Also, what the hell is up with Arenas? Did he sleep only 3 hours again?
6:15 PM
I'm out of town so I can't watch the game...it looks like the wiz went on a run at the end of the half. From a Griz standpoint, Stromile Swift needs to quit shooting. Put the ball in Hakim Warricks hands more. He's 4-5 so feed him the rock. Lets go grizz!!
6:26 PM
What the hell is going on with Gilbert Arenas? Is he going all Kobe on this team? What is going on here?
6:59 PM
I seriously cannot believe this anymore.
7:25 PM
Grizz Win! Grizz Win!!...didn't see the game...what was up with gilbert??
7:32 PM
Can't stop vomiting. That was abhorrent. Wtf was up w. Gil? I'll tell you - just like opening night against CLE. If he doesn't come out of the gates hot, he shuts down. Caron and Etan are the only ones out there and play w. heart night in, night out, and let's be honest, Etan is pretty limited on what he can do on the offensive side. I wonder if Gil is going to shoot another addidas ad, 'Everytime I drop 3...'.
We suck.
8:02 PM
umm.. anyone else still want to buy my Gil-Shirts?
WOW, I didn't catch the game, but I'll check out the highlights tomorrow, indeed W-t-f, this must be his career (and blogger) low
9:10 PM
Howie, look what you've done...it's all your fault now...
10:36 PM
(I still want the shirt though)
10:36 PM
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