Pregame Thread - Celtics @ Grizzlies 11/13/2010 at 8:00 PM

[dboss]

The Boston Celtics take their road show to Memphis to take on the 4-5 Grizzlies tonight at 8 PM.

The Grizzlies are a high scoring (104 PPG) run and gun team. Unfortunately their tenacity at the defensive end is lacking as they are also giving up 106.2 PPG. They have managed 2 quality wins against Dallas and Phoenix and in keeping with their inconsistency they have also lost to Dallas and Phoenix.

Led by UConn Alum, Rudy Gay, 25.6 PPG 7.2 boards and .511% from the field and .429% from the arc. Memphis will try to push the ball off turnovers and missed shots. Zach Randolph 16.4 with 11.2 boards and the other Gasol 11.6 with 8 rebounds, are their primary bigs. Mike Conely, 14.9 PPG and 7.7 assists, runs the point and OJ Mayo is the off guard and scores 16.2 PPG and can make the three although he does not shoot a lot of them.

Main rotation players are Darrell Arthur, the 6’9” PF who was starting while Zach was injured. Arthur is a good rebounder. Former Celtic, Tony Allen is in and out of the rotation and is only playing 12 minutes per game. Hope he is enjoying the $3,000,000 he signed for since the Grizz have no defensive strategy that could utilize his skills. Thabett is a BU center but he also does not play a lot of minutes.

Not much more to say about them but they have the ability to beat good teams like the Suns and Mavs so they are not an automatic W.

Keys to the Game

The Celtics did an excellent job the other night in taking care of the basketball. Doing that again combined with controlling the defensive glass will help to negate the Grizzlies from getting out on the break for easy layups.

The Grizzlies give up a ton of points per game because they are not able to sustain any type of defensive presence. It would serve Boston well to continue the training video on how to pass the rock.

The Celtics need not make this a difficult game. They need to take care of business early and often and by sending a message at the start that the Grizz will not be adding to their win total tonight.

dboss

[sinus007]

Dboss,
Thanks for the summary.
How about match-ups? Anyone?

AK

[dboss]

Well this is your thread too.

What do you think

dboss

[bobheckler]

I think we'll own the 5-spot. Marc Gasol is softer than his brother and he's hampered with an ankle injury. Shaq will bounce him around. Erden should be able to take Thabust.

We might need to put Davis on Zack Randolph at some point. At 6'9" 270#, he's pretty beefy for KG and he's been a real board monster this season to-date. He can be a bit selfish and isn't great passing out of doubles, so maybe dropping a guard down on him might give KG the help he needs. On the bright side, KG can shoot over him at will and Davis will blow by him.

OJ Mayo and Mike Conley make for a pretty decent backcourt. Rudy Gay will light it up if he can, but won't pass it if he doesn't. Tony Allen, who isn't playing many minutes this year, should see minutes tonight against Ray and/or Pierce.

bob

.

[1/1]

Hi Gentlemen, long time no see. Is this the place to be?

[Sam]

Hey, 1/1, how are you? Great to see you on the board. I hope all is well with you and you'll have an opportunity to post a lot.

Sam

[Sponsored content]