The Memphis Grizzlies will arrive in Sacramento on Saturday anxious to end the year on an even note, by cancelling out an earlier loss to the Kings. Just under two weeks ago, Sacramento took advantage of a rare Memphis off-day to batter the Grizzlies to submission in their own building via a 96-92 victory. The Grizzlies will be hoping to return the favour.
The Grizzlies, who currently sit in the 7th playoff position in the Western Conference, are 5.5 games ahead of the team just beneath them. That team is the Sacramento Kings. To say the Grizzlies have been inconsistent will be stating the obvious: in the last 11 games, they have lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Orlando Magic, and twice against the Boston Celtics.
In that same time frame, they’ve defeated the Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets. Talk of a team with Jekyll and Hyde traits.
Sacramento have no such issues. They went on a four-game win-spin that ended with a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, and have won six of their last 11. The Grizzlies managed to win only five games, though it can be argued that all five victories came against arguably better opponents.
The flip side is that the Kings have not dropped a game at home since Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points in a 103-100 win on 10 December. To counter that, Marc Gasol, who scored 38 points in 37 minutes in the last road win for the Grizzlies away to the Detroit Pistons, may need to recreate the same form if his team want to win this one.
Memphis are currently averaging 98.2 points per game (ppg), with Gasol dropping 20.1 of that total. He is getting the biggest help from Mike Conley, 18.1ppg. Conley came into the first meeting at Memphis off the injury list after missing nine games with a back problem. The point guard then missed the chance to tie the game when his three-point shot was off at the buzzer. Conley’s is another influence that will go some ways in deciding this tie.
The other Grizzlies to look out for are Zach Randolph and Tony Allen. Randolph, a power forward, has seen his production drop below his career averages since he lost his starting position to JaMychal Green, but he still produces good numbers coming off the bench.
Tony Allen on the other hand, is producing higher than his career averages, as his points per game number (10.1) is in double-figures (career 8.2), he will be the most easily recognisable shooting guard on court, and Grizzlies fans will hope he is in the mood to ball.
Sacramento Kings’ players have been the subjects of speculation since the season tipped off: will DeMarcus Cousins be traded? Will Kostas Koufos head to Houston? These speculations don’t seem to have fazed the team, but with the trade window getting closer, how long before the effects of the speculation start showing?
Then there are the injuries. Arron Afflalo and Rudy Gay are two of the most experienced players in the franchise, and both will not be available for the Grizzlies game. One veteran who will be available however, is Anthony Tolliver. The veteran big man has the ability to space the floor, has been a positive influence in the locker room, and has been an outstanding player for the young Kings since he was picked up in July.
It may be the last game of the year for both teams, but with a playoff place still a possibility, expect the Grizzlies and the Kings to go full throttle for this one.
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