By Bud L. Ellis
Oh, were it not for the geographically challenged NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies could start printing playoff tickets.
OK, that may be overstating things just a bit. Still Memphis, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, plays in the Western Conference. And in the wild wild West, the Grizzlies’ 26-25 record is good for 11th in the standings, a full three games out of the conference’s final playoff spot (currently occupied by Portland).
Were Memphis in the East – NBA speaking, of course – the Grizzlies would stand tied for sixth with Charlotte. Still, with some good ball in its final 31 games, Memphis can challenge for a playoff berth in the West. But the Grizzlies lost six of 10 coming into the All-Star break, and needs to find its stride as the season picks back up this week.
Memphis returns to action Wednesday at Toronto, which sits fifth in the East but has a record only 2 ½ games better than the Grizzlies. Friday, Memphis plays host to Miami, and travels to New Jersey on Sunday to meet the 4-48 Nets.
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7:57 pm by bud
Tags: Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, National Basketball Association, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors
Leave it to LeBron James to derail the plans of any other potential contender.
With the Memphis Grizzlies having come on extremely hot as of December, the Grizz have an All-Star in Zach Randolph and are thinking playoffs in the first time in years. For a franchise that drafted No.2 overall this past June, the turnaround has been dramatic, to say the least.
Unfortunately for the Grizz, they ran into a motivated Cavaliers team in Cleveland on Tuesday night…and that usually doesn’t end well for the Cavs’ opponent. This night was no different, as the Cavs won 105-89 thanks to inspired play from LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.
James posted 22 points, six rebounds, and 15 assists, while Shaq went 13/13 with four blocks in 21 minutes.
Regarding James, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins only had words of praise.
“He sees things other players don’t see,” Hollins said. “He attacks the basket and throws it out for a 3. He attacks the basket, then throws it for a layup. He gets the ball on one side, he’s not looking, but he sees the guy and whips it all the way across the court for another 3-pointer.
“He’s just a great player. I don’t know much more that you can say about him,” he said.
Off-nights from Zach Randolph (eight points on 3-of-14 shooting) and O.J. Mayo (10 points on 4-of-15 shooting) doomed the Grizzlies, as the Cavs’ tenacious D pressured them into low-percentage shots all night long.
Memphis has a chance to turn it around Friday night at home against Houston.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 10:45 pm by bryan
