Grizzlies(12-2) @ Kobes(3-11)

[SD2042]

Not to sound arrogant, I think their chances are around 65% to get in. San Antonio has been the team that have owned the Grizzlies number in the regular season and the playoffs from two years ago now. The Grizzlies need to trade for a scorer to come off the bench and a solidified SF who can play on both ends of the floor. If the Grizzlies can do that, I say they improve their chances.

How about the Raptors chances?

I think the Raptors and the Grizzlies are in the same situation. Both teams are ECF/WCF contenders but not title contenders.

With the Grizzlies, being in the west doesn't help but I also don't trust the offense. I think the Grizzlies with homecourt advantage could beat the Warriors, Clippers, Rockets and Portland, no problem.

You guys matchup great with OKC and you guys have never had homecourt advantage against them so it comes down to talent vs experience/coaching.

Mavs and the Spurs are the 2 tough matchups for the Grizz. Spurs like you said have your number (I think they repeat, they're just a tier above everyone else imo) and the Mavs have Carlisle and a potent offense. He'll make it miserable for the Grizzlies to score.

Joerger is a great coach. Good tatician. Unlike Hollins, he's shown the ability to adjust and he's done a good job improving the Grizzlies offense from the terrible offense (2nd worst in the league) that it was in 2013. I still remember Prince & Allen starting together. What a spacing nightmare that was.

You mention the Mavs. The grizzlies have yet to play the revamped Mavs this season. Their offensive output will be a great test for the Grizzlies to fight through. A lot of weapons to contend with on the offensive end. OKC have been a struggle with both their stars out so far. Although it's every early in the season, will they be able to catch up in the race for the playoffs out West is the big question the league is wondering.

The Grizzlies are a very resilient team who can fight tooth and nail to get wins. My take is regardless of homecourt or no homecourt advantage. They will find a way to fight for wins.

As for the Raptors, I think they could use a better PF in the starting lineup who can spread the floor, play on both ends, and get up and down the floor. And possibly another scorer to help Lou Williams from off the bench.

[SD2042]

This game is a lot close than it has to be. 82-78 Grizzlies lead.

[Scarface844]

You mention the Mavs. The grizzlies have yet to play the revamped Mavs this season. Their offensive output will be a great test for the Grizzlies to fight through. A lot of weapons to contend with on the offensive end. OKC have been a struggle with both their stars out so far. Although it's every early in the season, will they be able to catch up in the race for the playoffs out West is the big question the league is wondering.

The Grizzlies are a very resilient team who can fight tooth and nail to get wins. My take is regardless of homecourt or no homecourt advantage. They will find a way to fight for wins.

As for the Raptors, I think they could use a better PF in the starting lineup who can spread the floor, play on both ends, and get up and down the floor. And possibly another scorer to help Lou Williams from off the bench.

Grizzlies are the only team in the league I trust to successfully play defense when up by 1 in the final 45 seconds. The pressure doesn't phase them. They do struggle to close games offensively though because they don't have a go to guy. Conley is the closer but Conley is a weird clutch player.

He hits big shots but always bricks big free throws. It's just tough for the Grizzlies because they're going to have to get past the Spurs to make the finals imo and that's the one team they can't beat.

For the Raptors, Amir's ankles have slowed him down but the impact he makes on the floor, especially the defensive end is huge and it doesn't show on the box score.

Our bench scored 52 points tonight. Vasquez & Williams combined for 43 points. It averages 37 a night (3rd best in the league). We have a lot of depth. The bench has bailed us out in several games so far.

[SD2042]

Bad possession on that set. Bad foul call as well.

[SD2042]

You mention the Mavs. The grizzlies have yet to play the revamped Mavs this season. Their offensive output will be a great test for the Grizzlies to fight through. A lot of weapons to contend with on the offensive end. OKC have been a struggle with both their stars out so far. Although it's every early in the season, will they be able to catch up in the race for the playoffs out West is the big question the league is wondering.

The Grizzlies are a very resilient team who can fight tooth and nail to get wins. My take is regardless of homecourt or no homecourt advantage. They will find a way to fight for wins.

As for the Raptors, I think they could use a better PF in the starting lineup who can spread the floor, play on both ends, and get up and down the floor. And possibly another scorer to help Lou Williams from off the bench.

Grizzlies are the only team in the league I trust to successfully play defense when up by 1 in the final 45 seconds. The pressure doesn't phase them. They do struggle to close games offensively though because of a lack of superstar. Conley is the closer but Conley is a bit weird clutch player.

He hits big shots but always bricks big free throws. It's just tough for the Grizzlies because they're going to have to get past the Spurs to make the finals imo and that's the one team they can't beat.

For the Raptors, Amir's ankles have slowed him down but the impact he makes on the floor, especially the defensive end is huge and it doesn't show on the box score.

Our bench scored 52 points tonight. Vasquez & Williams combined for 43 points tonight. It averages 37 a night (good for 3rd best in the league). We have a lot of depth. The bench has bailed us out in several games so far.

I remember a few Raps fans mention that in last week's game thread about Amir's ankles. Although it's good that he's able to make some impact, it's still a risk to gamble on his ankles especially come playoff time. Considering the Raps need a PF debate I addressed in the previous post. Vasquez is another scorer the Raps have on the roster. The issue I had with him when he was with the Grizzlies was consistency issues. Has he gotten better since his arrival in T-Dot?

As for the Raps bench lighting up the Hawks for 52pts. It's good to capitalize on a team that has a poor bench setup in the Hawks. They like the Nuggets, Nets, and Knicks could use a rebuild from the ground up.

[FerreroRocherrr]

Kobe is such a chucker lmao.

[Scarface844]

I remember a few Raps fans mention that in last week's game thread about Amir's ankles. Although it's good that he's able to make some impact, it's still a risk to gamble on his ankles especially come playoff time. Considering the Raps need a PF debate I addressed in the previous post. Vasquez is another scorer the Raps have on the roster. The issue I had with him when he was with the Grizzlies was consistency issues. Has he gotten better since his arrival in T-Dot?

He's our Haslem. We'll probably find a replacement for him but I don't think we let him go. Vasquez still has some consistency issues but he tends to find his rhythm as the season goes on. He always seems to hit the big shots whether he's struggling or not and he showed up for us in the playoffs.

James Johnson has also been huge for us. He's had a huge impact on the defensive end for us and he's even had some solid offensive performances. We have a lot of scorers/shooters so it makes it easier for JJ to get opportunities to score. Casey trusts JJ over Ross in crunch time because of his great defense.

We also have Patterson who's our PF. He's a scorer. He spaces the floor, is a good help defender and was huge for us last year. The backup C position is where we're weak. Hayes is a great defender/rebounder but he can't score. Handsbrough is a PF and Stiememsa is a shot blocking C that fouls a lot.

[SD2042]

I remember a few Raps fans mention that in last week's game thread about Amir's ankles. Although it's good that he's able to make some impact, it's still a risk to gamble on his ankles especially come playoff time. Considering the Raps need a PF debate I addressed in the previous post. Vasquez is another scorer the Raps have on the roster. The issue I had with him when he was with the Grizzlies was consistency issues. Has he gotten better since his arrival in T-Dot?

He's our Haslem. We'll probably find a replacement for him but I don't think we let him go. Vasquez still has some consistency issues but he tends to find his rhythm as the season goes on. He always seems to hit the big shots whether he's struggling or not and he showed up for us in the playoffs.

James Johnson has also been huge for us. He's had a huge impact on the defensive end for us and he's even had some solid offensive performances. We have a lot of scorers/shooters so it makes it easier for JJ to get opportunities to score. Casey trusts JJ over Ross in crunch time because of his great defense.



We also have Patterson who's our PF. He's a scorer. He spaces the floor, is a good help defender and was huge for us last year. The backup C position is where we're weak. Hayes is a great defender/rebounder but he can't score. Handsbrough is a PF and Stiememsa is a shot blocking C that fouls a lot.

The one thing I can say about Vasquez is that he never met a shot he was scared to take.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56zAxsnAbC8[/youtube]


If I were to set a music track to how he played. I would say Bonecrusher: Never Scared

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryIjCkw3Jfg[/youtube]


What makes your team run is the athleticism and the ability to run well in transition. That boosts your team's offensive efficiency. That's your team's identity.


As for the center position, I can agree. Chuck Hayes is like the Raps version of Malik Rose, only minus the better offensive output. Raps could do themselves justice by being on the lookout for one.

[Scarface844]

The one thing I can say about Vasquez is that he never met a shot he was scared to take.

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56zAxsnAbC8[/youtube]

If I were to set a music track to how he played. I would say Bonecrusher: Never Scared

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryIjCkw3Jfg[/youtube]

What makes your team run is the athleticism and the ability to run well in transition. That boosts your team's offensive efficiency. That's your team's identity.

As for the center position, I can agree. Chuck Hayes is like the Raps version of Malik Rose, only minus the better offensive output. Raps could do themselves justice by being on the lookout for one.

No doubt. Good talking to you man and best of luck to you and the Grizzlies.

[SD2042]

The one thing I can say about Vasquez is that he never met a shot he was scared to take.

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56zAxsnAbC8[/youtube]

If I were to set a music track to how he played. I would say Bonecrusher: Never Scared

Spoiler:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryIjCkw3Jfg[/youtube]

What makes your team run is the athleticism and the ability to run well in transition. That boosts your team's offensive efficiency. That's your team's identity.

As for the center position, I can agree. Chuck Hayes is like the Raps version of Malik Rose, only minus the better offensive output. Raps could do themselves justice by being on the lookout for one.

No doubt. Good talking to you man and best of luck to you and the Grizzlies.

Until next time. Best of luck the rest of the way.

[BarbaGrizz]

We should have won by a larger margin, the Lakers can´t and shoudn´t run with us for so long.

[jman3134]

One concern: we played the bench at the end of the game. The Lakers had very makeable shots late in the game and just could not finish. A layup by Ed Davis through some contact and a couple of open threes. They could have regained the lead.

The bench definitely held their own here though. Strong performances by Mike Conley and Marc really pushed us ahead and sustained us at the end of the game.