Memphis Grizzlies vs. Brooklyn Nets Game Preview

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (23-14, 10-6 away) vs. Brooklyn Nets (23-11, 10-8 house)

WHEN: 6:30 PM CT

WHERE: Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, New York

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: NBATV/Bally Sports activities Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Ziaire Williams (Uncertain, ankle), Kyle Anderson/Shaq Buchanan/Dillon Brooks/John Konchar/De’Anthony Melton/Xavier Tillman (Well being and Security Protocols), Tyrell Terry (Non-COVID sickness)

BROOKLYN: Joe Harris (Out, ankle), Kyrie Irving (Out, Well being and Security Protocols), LaMarcus Aldridge (Questionable, foot)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. (?), Killian Tillie (??), Steven Adams

BROOKLYN: Patty Mills, James Harden, Bruce Brown, Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge

The Memphis Grizzlies have a variety of gamers out in the intervening time, nearly solely as a result of Well being and Security Protocols of the NBA with regard to COVID-19. However the world of the Affiliation retains spinning, and the skeleton Grizzlies are in Brooklyn tonight towards one of many best possible groups the NBA has to supply. Even of their present state, Memphis can view this chance as a “measuring stick” recreation – an opportunity to measure themselves towards Kevin Durant, James Harden, and a professional title contender within the Nets.

Even with a number of rotation items lacking the 2 most impactful gamers for the Grizzlies, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., can be found (as of this writing). So is Desmond Bane, arguably the second finest participant on the roster in the intervening time. As is Steven Adams, who’s having fun with a renaissance of his profession of kinds in Memphis. Identical with Tyus Jones and Brandon Clarke, each of whom needs to be within the Grizzlies rotation even when your complete roster is collectively.

No, Memphis isn’t at full power by any means. However the Grizzlies have a possibility on this recreation to see simply how good they’re. Brooklyn is with out Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris, two projected starters, and but remains to be one of many best possible within the NBA. If Memphis desires to be seen extra just like the playoff workforce they’re quite than the play-in workforce they’ve been the final two seasons, this contest on nationwide tv is an excellent alternative.

Keys to the sport.

Management Patty Mills

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities

One of many most important causes the Brooklyn Nets are having pretty much as good of a season as they’re, regardless of coping with a COVID outbreak of their very own and lacking Kyrie Irving your complete season, is the brilliance of Patty Mills. Mills is among the NBA’s most elite three level shooters, changing 43.6% of his makes an attempt from past the arc on 7.8 photographs per recreation. He shoots extra threes than anybody else on the Nets, and he makes them at a really excessive clip – one of the best of his profession up to now.

He’s additionally taking part in higher protection for Brooklyn than he has in years, and he’s defending possessions (9% turnover share is tied for third better of his profession, per basketball-reference.com) regardless of taking part in extra minutes per recreation (30.6) than he has at any level of his profession. James Harden and Kevin Durant (rightly) get the headlines. However Patty Mills has been the unsung hero of this Nets run. And in case you don’t bear in mind Mills as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, he’s been a little bit of a Grizzlies killer previously.

For Memphis to win this recreation, that can’t occur tonight.

Be good with rotations

Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports activities

The Grizzlies are usually not in pretty much as good of a spot when it comes to their present depth as Brooklyn is. We’re staring down the barrel of a Tyus Jones/Jarrett Culver/Killian Tillie/Brandon Clarke/Xavier Tillman Sr. bench unit, for crying out loud. Memphis is hurting for numbers, however fortunately that doesn’t have to doom them. It’s only a actuality that they should be prepared to fight. If a participant struggles ( you, Jarrett Culver-in-a-hopeful-reverse-jinx), Head Coach Taylor Jenkins can’t be afraid to shrink the rotation. Lineups that maybe is not going to appear as cohesive/even logical (Ja Morant and Tyus getting prolonged run, three huge lineups just like the hypothetical beginning lineup) must be tried and tolerated. Jones is among the higher gamers for the Grizzlies. He should get prolonged run, with Ja in addition to with out him.

The Brooklyn bench is stout. Cam Thomas, De’Andre Bembry, Memphis legend James Johnson, Blake Griffin, Nic Claxton…there may be potential for the Grizzlies to get run off the ground if Jenkins tries to go bench for bench with the Nets. It appears unlikely, although, that that is the case. Considered one of Morant/Jackson Jr. needs to be on the ground always – and Bane ought to see prolonged time as properly with Kyle Anderson being newly added to the Well being and Security Protocols listing.

Sure, there’s a second recreation tomorrow evening. However the actuality is that “relaxation” isn’t an possibility proper now. Maximizing the minutes with the starters intermingling with the reserves should be the precedence.

The Prediction

As of this writing the Nets are seven level favorites on this recreation. That appears honest – Brooklyn is much less harm/sickness riddled than the Grizzlies are, and Durant/Harden would be the two finest gamers on the ground. Often the workforce with the 2 finest gamers wins. However Ja Morant isn’t as far behind Harden and Durant as some might imagine when it comes to manufacturing. And he/Jaren Jackson Jr. have the expertise/athleticism to offer mismatches all through the sport. If each Morant and Jackson Jr. play at a excessive degree, plus well timed contributions from Desmond Bane offensively, the Grizzlies can maintain it shut.

Memphis simply probably doesn’t have the fireplace energy to maintain up with the Nets for a full 48 minutes. And that may make the distinction.

Brooklyn 112, Memphis 104

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