Fresh off their first win since the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers tonight. Memphis, still riddled with injuries, could get Jaren Jackson, Jr. back tonight, which is good news considering the extended timeout of Derrick Rose and Ziaire Williams announced yesterday. Memphis has lost its last 2 trips to the City of Brotherly Love and faces a tough task tonight at 6:30 p.m. Can the Grizzlies win? Absolutely! They proved that in their last outing against the Nets, fending off a late comeback to secure the victory. This 76ers team, although missing star Joel Embiid, is a much more formidable opponent. How can the Grizzlies win? I’m going to give you 3 keys to victory tonight.
WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (21-41, 13th in the West) at Philadelphia 76ers (35-25, 5th in the East)
When: Wednesday March 6, 6:30 p.m. CST
Or: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How to watch: Bally Sports South East
Injury report:
Memphis: Jaren Jackson Jr. questionable (quad), Desmond Bane out (ankle), Brandon Clarke out (achilles), Scotty Pippen, Jr.: out (back), Ja Morant out for season (shoulder), Marcus Smart out (finger) ) , Derrick Rose day-to-day (back), Yuta Watanabe out (wrist sprain), Ziaire Williams right lower back/hip flexor strain (out).
Philadelphia: Joel Embiid out (knee), Tyrone Maxey questionable (concussion), De’Anthony Meltond out (back), Robert Covington out (knee)
Cold Hand Luke
Known for his 3-point shooting, currently second in the NBA at 45.9% behind only former Grizz Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard went nuclear against the Nets on Monday night. “Nuke” finished with a game-high 25 points and shot 66.7% from beyond the arc. Kennard was back to his old self after a pedestrian start to 2024. However, Luke’s best sign has been his ability to run the point and distribute the ball. He is currently averaging 3.1 assists per game, his highest level since the 2019-20 season, and had 7 in Monday night’s big road win. Can this trend continue? If that’s the case, the Grizzlies will be in a much better position moving forward, even next season. Luke has shown a knack for moving the ball lately, with 5+ assists in 2 straight games and has made the offensive throw. The Grizzlies need Luke to become a vet with so many injuries. Taking control of the ball upswing will help the new faces get going on offense, as the Grizz still have plenty of young players logging significant minutes. Luke can then move without the ball to set up his shot and continue the barrage he launched on Monday evening. Prediction: Luke finishes with 15 points and 6 assists.
Call GG Jackson II, your table is ready
Fresh off 3 straight double-digit games, GG managed just 7 points in Monday night’s win in Brooklyn. GG has obviously been a solid contributor for much of the season. He’s late for a big game for the Grizzlies on the road and I think he could eat against Philly. February 15 was the last time GG had a breakout game, dropping 27 points in the big win against Milwaukee before the All-Star Break. GG has a knack for showing up against the best competition – 27 against Milwaukee, 18 against Boston and Indiana. The 19-year-old future star has averaged 15.6 points per game over his last 10 games, which isn’t ridiculous considering his youth. However, for the Grizzlies to pull off the upset as a 5-point road dog, it will need all hands on deck. Memphis showed glimpses, seeing Monday night’s big win, of finding ways to win in this “competitive tank,” as some might call it. These wins came as a result of some great player matches, GG in the Milwaukee game mentioned above for example. In order to end the road trip victoriously, GG will need to get a score closer to 20 than 10. Prediction: GG finishes with 17 points
Share “brotherly” love
Over the last 5 games, the Grizzlies average 20.2 assists as a team. If you back that up to 10 games, that’s 24.5. The Grizzlies have been more stagnant on offense since the All-Star break, dimly lit I should say in games against Portland on Friday (15 assists) and Brooklyn on 2/26 (16). Be shocked, because they were blown out in both of these games. Not to state the obvious here, but Memphis is better when the ball moves with purpose and moves often. The Grizzlies found success Monday night against the Nets by finding the open shooter, usually Luke Kennard, thanks to 26 assists, which is the most in over 2 weeks. In order to snatch a victory from the 76ers, the offense cannot be sloppy. This resulted in a brutal watch in the 2 losses mentioned above, as the ball went out of bounds or the other way for an easy transition, much to the chagrin of every Grizz fan. If the Grizzlies want to win, the ball movement needs to return. Whether it’s the storylines of Taylor Jenkins or the current point guard by committee, assists will be the only way Memphis can win tonight. Prediction: Memphis finishes with >20 assists.
Game Prediction
I predicted the win against Brooklyn on Monday night and almost got the score right too. I think Memphis *can* win this game. Philadelphia is without Joel Embiid, Tyrone Maxey could return from concussion protocol and this team is not an unbeatable juggernaut. Neither team is good at rebounding, Philly is 19th and Memphis 26th in the league, but Philadelphia scores at a much higher rate than Memphis. The 76ers are averaging 117.1 points per game, good enough for 11th in the conference, but just 110 in their last 10. Memphis comes in dead last in points per game, shockingly, and is averaging 100.7 over its last 10. for lightning to strike twice in one week, I just don’t see that happening.
Philadelphia 112 Memphis 100
