Wizards 4-5 vs Grizzlies 6-3
When: Sunday, November 6th, at 6:00p.m.
Where: Fed Ex Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: NBC Sports Washington, Bally Sports-Memphis
Radio: WTEM/ WMFS
Injury
Wizards: Delon Wright (Out, Right Hamstring Strain), Brad Beal (Out, Health & Safety Protocol)
Grizzlies: Jaren Jackson Jr (Out, Right Foot Surgery), Danny Green (Out, Left Knee Surgery)
Keep an eye on:
Pride: "It's embarrassing," Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr said. " I thought it started with our approach. Our approach was lackluster. I think we thought we could ease our way into a game where we felt they didn't have a complete complement, roster-wise."
Couldn't have summed up Fridays 42 point deflating loss to the Brooklyn Nets any better. Now, the Wizards hit the road to face a contending Memphis Grizzlies team who mantra is "running to the smoke," WITHOUT leading scorer Brad Beal. Tall order to say the least. Show some competitive pride and compete, show desire to want to win even while being undermanned. That's far more easier to stomach than watching a team show no fight. The Nets rallied on Friday night and dominated by showing a lot of resiliency despite the turmoil surrounding the team. Let's hope that Washington duplicates that performance.
Ja Morant: is a legit MVP candidate and I still feel people aren't aware of just how great of a season he is having. Morant comes into tonights game averaging 29 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds on 51 percent shooting from the field, a RIDICULOUS 50 percent from deep and 85 percent from the charity stripe. Morant was already a highly skilled, intelligent, tough floor general with off the charts athletic ability, now, he's improved his shooting efficiency to the point the scouting report on him is close to saying Good luck or Pray. Washington, starting with their guards Monte Morris, Will Barton among others will have to be on the same page as a unit in hopes of containing the explosive Morant or it’s guaranteed to get ugly.
Steven Adams: doesn't get the spotlight and attention from most basketball observers, but he should, he's essential to the success of the Grizzlies. Adams excels at doing the dirty work inside, averaging 7 points, 11.1 rebounds (8th in the NBA) and nearly 2 blocks per game. Adams is a big reason why the Grizzlies is currently third in the NBA in rebounds per game (46.9), second in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (13.6) and sixth in the NBA with 6.1 blocks per game. Adams is tied for first with Minnesota center Rudy Gobert for tops in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game, snatching down 4.7 offensive boards per contest. This game will be decided by who controls the boards. You can't end the defensive stand and you can't get into your offense without the ball. Washington's bigs, Kristaps Porzingis, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Gill.....will ALL need to elevate their rebounding production if Washington is to have any chance at victory this evening. It starts with keeping Adams off the boards.
3-points Shooting: is something to watch every game in this current era of the NBA, however, efficiency will always be the separator. Few are more efficient than the Grizzlies, who come in ranking third in the league in 3-point shooting, knocking down 39.5 percent shooting from deep. Memphis starters on the perimeter, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks, shoot 50%, 46% and 50% from 3-point range respectively. Bane and Brooks led the team in attempts, shooting 8.9 and 5.7 three's a game. Washington comes in dead last in opponent 3-point shooting, allowing 41.3 percent from deep. As I said before, it's about pride, they will need it tonight in a major way.
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Last Contest: Grizzlies vs Hornets -