When: Wednesday March 13, 7:00 p.m. CST
Or: FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee
How to watch/stream: Bally Sports South
On the second night of back-to-back showdowns with the NBA’s basement dwellers, your Memphis Grizzlies host the Charlotte Hornets.
After what I can only assume will be a majestic display of hoops when the Grizz take on the Wizards, the team could have two winnable games in a row for the first time in what seems like forever.
Both teams saw their seasons derailed by injuries to their franchise point guard, with Charlotte missing Lamelo and Memphis missing Ja. However, when considering both teams’ expectations heading into the season, the Hornets will be far less disappointed given all of their developmental plans on the roster.
While Charlotte is the fourth-worst team in the league in terms of record, their net rating is actually the worst in the league, with the team being outscored by 10.5 points per 100 possessions.
While it’s fair to suggest that the team has performed better since making some moves at the deadline, it’s also fair to lump this team among those who will compete for the number one pick.
Like the Grizzlies, the Hornets are 2-8 in their last 10 games, including a loss to yesterday’s opponent and fellow lottery local Washington. There have certainly been some positives, like the play of new acquisitions Grant Williams and Tre Mann, but this season will be another one where the franchise fails to make the playoffs.
This will certainly be one of the games in NBA history, and I’m sure one or two Poeltl legends will emerge from the obscurity that only two lottery locks can provide.
Which grizzly has a pulse?
Given what you read above, it would be a valid assumption to think that the Grizzlies, being the home team and all, should enjoy a slight advantage heading into this game. Generally speaking, you’d probably be right, but that justification doesn’t take into account this absolute monstrosity on the part of the evildoers at @GrizzliesPR.
*Note: Every time you assume things couldn’t get any worse, this account manages to hit a little lower and a little harder.*
Aside from the progress made by Scotty Pippen Jr, there are very few positives to take from the tweet above. It’s likely that Jenkins and Co. will rely on a similar package to what you saw last night against the Wizards, with the possibility of rest for some of those bodies if possible.
Given the nature of JJJ’s injury and the team’s (lack of) playoff chances, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see something like “exploratory surgery” for him, hopefully guaranteeing his health in 2024/25 and beyond.
This game will likely be dictated by heavy doses of Santi, GG, Luke and Jake LaRavia, with plenty of minutes and opportunities for what remains of the roster.
Verifying Brandon Miller
Heading into the 2023 draft, the headlines were rightfully dominated by Wemby and predicting his future in the league, but there was plenty of discussion as to who should be taken after him.
One side was defending Scoot Henderson, an explosive athlete and point guard in the G-League Ignite system. Scoot had played two years against grown men, beginning his G-League experience at just 18, and between his success against fellow professionals and his athleticism, he seemed like a worthy consolation prize for anyone who had missed Wemby.
However, as the college basketball season progressed, there was more and more hype surrounding Brandon Miller, a smooth power forward playing at the University of Alabama. There were some preliminary questions about his involvement with a murder weapon, but almost everything he produced on the field was sensational.
In the weeks and days leading up to draft night, Scoot was still considered the consensus number two prospect, until the betting odds began to change on draft day. The Hornets, to the surprise of many, drafted Brandon Miller 2nd overall. When you consider his matchup with compatriot Lamelo, it made sense, but all Miller did was justify the decision more and more with his play on the pitch.
Since the All-Star break, Miller is averaging 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists on 51% true shooting. While those numbers seem impressive on the surface, they get a bit of a boost when you consider that production has become the primary option in a talent-depleted offense.
While his play was admirable from a numerical standpoint, I was more impressed with his voice and the leadership qualities he displayed at such a young age. Considering this is a team that is often at the bottom of the standards, having a guy as talented as Miller and ready to lead could be the catalyst the franchise needs.
While Scoot has looked athletically overmatched and diminutive on an NBA court, Miller looks comfortable and at ease, operating at his own pace, and while Scoot deserves some time to mature, adapting to this new league, the fact that Miller didn’t need this time is very telling for his future.
