Grizzlies(9-17) vs. Lakers(21-5)

[SD2042]

vs.



Who: Memphis Grizzlies(9-17) vs. Los Angeles Lakers(21-5)
When: Monday, December 22nd
Where: FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN
Time: 7:00 PM CST
TV/Radio: Fox Sports TN/WRBO !03.5 FM
Season Series: First Meeting
Team Trivia: February 1st 2008, Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers in a blockbuster that involved the Grizzlies getting back his brother Marc Gasol.


Grizzlies Starters





Lakers Starters



Since Pau is making his first trip back to Memphis since the trade 10 months ago, will some of yall cheer the guy or let him have it?

[boogiesdad]

I can't wait to see Marc lay Pau flat on his butt. This should be Marc's best game.

[jefe]

I've waited nearly 11 months for this game. So long as Marc gets physical with Pau, I'll be happy; because if the Grizz put for the same (lack of) effort tonight, as they did Friday, it could be a long night.

[dark-child]

I have a feeling this will be one of those maddening games we get from the Grizz. Where the put it all together and look pretty good, which is maddening because of games they give us like Friday night. I do hope the fans in attendance are appreciative of Pau during the intro and not vindicative which raises the ire of #24.

[SD2042]

Outside of Pau, it's Kobe and Bynum I'm concern with. They will come in the forum very anxious to win a road game. They drop two the Miami and Orlando over the weekend. I expect them to be very determine to beat the Grizz tonight. The Grizz can't play half-ass defense and expect to win this game. As for Pau, I won't be too surprise if he gets boo tonight. Chris Vernon will make sure of that.

[Downtown]

I'll look forward to watching this game. If you take away that last bad performance they have been doing prettyy good lately. There is one thing in the Grizzlies favor and that is the Lakers have let their opponents score alot of points lately and you know Phil Jackson is going to put a big emphasis on defense. And Memphis has done okay and kept in a number of games until the end this season by keeping the score lower and hanging around and at least having a chance. So if this scenario turns out it could at least be close rather than a blowout for LA.

I know it's natural to want to see the matchup between the Gasol brothers but Marc has more important matters to worry about. Andrew Bynum isn't going to step aside and watch those two go at each other. Marc Gasol will have his hands full. Milicic is going to have to step it up against Pau.

Sure would be nice for Memphis to have one of those lesser heralded power forwards with the strong builds like Craig Smith, Paul Milsap, or Carl Landry just to wear down someone like Gasol.

[Downtown]

You beat me to the punch SD2042.

[SD2042]

Don't worry about it. It's all good.

[Truthiracy]

I'm watching this game on my new "online TV" good start so far for Memphis

[Truthiracy]

57-49 Grizz at the half

[DEEP3CL]

57-49 Grizz at the half

I notice you been a cheerleader for everybody we've played on this trip.................cute.

[Jajwanda]

Ya about the last Kobe dunk. Sorry about that.

[CHIMOCHI]

wow at kobe at the end with that dunk

[SD2042]

http://www.grizzliesonline.com/index.ph ... s_lakers1/


The Grizz managed to hold it together for the majority of the game. However, they allow the Lakers to hang around by not taking care of the ball(15 TOs) and rushing some shots particularly last three minutes of the 4th quarter. Also getting outscored 28-16 in the fourth didn't help matters when Kobe Bryant took over and came through for the Lakeshow. As for the Gasol vs. Gasol match. The older version had the better stats tonight with 15pts, 7rebs, 2blks, and 6dimes vs. the younger version with 8pts, 7rebs, 2dimes, and 2 stls. The game overall was a winable one from the way the Grizzlies played. Just a case of not be able to execute crucial plays down the stretch.

[jefe]

Grizz played great through the first 46 minutes, but wilted in the final 2. As for the Gasol matchup, when they played each other - rarely happened, but it did - Pau couldn't play Marc straight up, he had help on every occasion. Also, the Mayo/Bryant matchup was intriguing, Mayo held his own and looked great, particularly the three in Kobe's eye in the 3rd IIRC.

[Downtown]

Like I have said from the beginning, it's about the learning curve going in the right direction and not the wins. If you take away the one big pointspread loss the last number of games the Grizzlies have held their own. And we know that the good, more experienced teams always know how to kick it up that one notch in pressure situations in the fourth quarter. Memphis doesn't have that ingredient yet but the signs show some very good play these days and I'm optimistic.

I think they're on the right track and simply need to continue moving ahead. Everything seems sound enough. All the players know the program is one of giving the young guys the bulk of playing time at the expense of the veterans like Walker(now moved on) and Jaric. Aside from Milicic getting the nod over Arthur now, which is the right move, things have been fairly stable other than which pointguard is going to get more time. It's that stabilty, rather than continually changing everything is what makes teams improve.

Gotta give Ivaronni and Wallace some credit. I haven't heard about any panic to make big changes, which is a welcome relief for your young team since the Pau Gasol trade. Stay with the mantra: stay the course, evaluate, and perhaps make a deal at the trade deadline if the right one is offered that not only improves for this season but more importantly for next season.