Hawks, Grizzlies look to bounce back from poor openers
Two teams whose opening-night performances already have stamped them as among the worst teams in the NBA again this season will get a chance to redeem themselves when the Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies vie Friday night in Memphis. The season could not have started off much worse for these teams, which earned top-five draft picks in April. The Hawks were drubbed 126-107 at New York, while the Grizzlies were routed 111-83 at Indiana.
Neither of the teams' new marquee rookies performed well individually, either. Hawks guard Trae Young, acquired in a trade after having been the No. 5 pick in the draft, shot just 5 for 14 overall and 1 for 5 on 3-pointers against the Knicks. He totaled 14 points, but had a minus-20 plus/minus in his 33 minutes on the court. Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce, who made his Hawks debut in New York, cautioned not to put too much scrutiny on Young.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr., the No. 4 overall selection, shot 2 for 6 on a 10-point night off the bench. He was even less efficient than Young, accumulating a minus-21 plus/minus in 25 minutes.
Memphis coach B.J. Bickerstaff is ready to start his first full season as Grizzlies coach. Bickerstaff, previously associate head coach, took over when David Fizdale was fired in late November. The injury-plagued Grizzlies finished 22-60, 15-50 under Bickerstaff.
"Preseason was good for us to experiment," Bickerstaff said. "We saw some things that we liked. We saw some groups that liked. We were impressed with some guys. Our bench can change night by night depending what we might need from somebody, but for the most part we have our starting lineup set."
Bickerstaff expects to use a 10-man rotation most games.
Two of the Grizzlies' main questions are whether point guard Mike Conley, who had heel surgery in January, can return to form and whether the 6-10 Chandler Parsons can stay healthy. Conley, who played in only 12 contests last season, has missed 109 games the past three seasons.
Injuries limited Parsons to 34 games in 2016-2017 and 36 last season.
The Grizzlies should get a boost from Jaren Jackson Jr., the fourth played taken in the first round of the draft.
Grizzlies-Pacers: What to know for Memphis' season opener
Starting fast doesn't always guarantee a successful season.
Last season, the Grizzlies got off to a 5-1 start before collapsing and limping to a 22-60 record. But that won't stop Memphis from trying.
The regular season gets underway for the Grizzlies at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when they tip off against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
"Being in the Western Conference, we don't want to be in a hole because it will be tough to climb out of," said J.B. Bickerstaff, who will coach his first NBA game without the interim tag. "You're anxious to see how things come together. Summer league and preseason, all that stuff, is good for coaches. But the actual season, when the games matter, that's the fun part and why we do what we do."
Offensive confidence
Memphis averaged 106.6 points per game this preseason.
Should fans be encouraged by that?
Mike Conley said Tuesday the Grizzlies went through the bulk of the preseason without installing any plays.
"We were just trying different things," he said. "We basically didn't put in any plays as far as that went and we still scored over 100 points in those games. So, offensively, I think we'll be there.
"But defense is where we want to hang our hat and have our identity."
Rebound, rebound, rebound
Much has been made this preseason of the Grizzlies' significant rebounding issues.
Bickerstaff's club was last in the NBA in rebounding in its five games and 26th (out of 30) in defensive rebounds per game.
Green said there's been an added emphasis on crashing the boards in recent days.
"We've got to step up and box out," he said. "Can't be soft. Coach has been on us about being last in the league right now in rebounding. I'll make sure to do my part and the rest of the team will follow. It's a team thing. A team job. Guards gotta box out and get the long rebounds and bigs have to get the rebounds around the basket."
First game at last. The Grizzlies will have to keep Indy off the perimeter as they have continue to improve their three point shooting. Slow down VO and Reke from slashing to the post at will. The offense has to be in tune if you're the Grizzlies.
Just get off to a good start. Good luck
Re: Opening Night Game Thread: Grizz @ Pacers
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 5:30 pm
by Pacers_Freak
Always had a great amount of respect for the Grizz. Always seem like our blue collar brothers in the Western Conference. Posted on our board I wish we didn't have you out of the gate. Should be a great game. Best of luck in 80 of your 82 games this season!
at some point in the first Q we were up 30 to 10 or something like that and i thought that it was going to be an easy game. very good D, scoring flowly. however, not long after that hawks' comeback.
very good game by Temple and JJJ.
Somehow it looks like JJJ is scoring by his own. Looks like there are not plays design for him. He just scored putbacks, open threes, boxing his space in the paint against a mismastch... I believe he is able to score 20 a night for us if we give him the ball when it comes the time.
Another thing, is Jevon injured? No disrespect to Mack but any minute he plays is a minute Jevon is not playing. i missed him againts the hawks.
One last thing, Jaymichal is in a very bad shape. we need him and i hope he comes back asap
Re: Recycled Game Thread: Hawks @ Grizz
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 6:15 pm
by Jamaaliver
I was reluctant to buy in on JJJ before the draft. (There so many games in college he just floated around without making a huge impact. Despite always being the most talented player on the court.)
But i can see signs of an above average, all-around player waiting to emerge.
Also, he seems to own my Hawks every time we play.
KG Lite is a pretty good way building block for the future.
