<font color="Navy">Memphis Grizzlies</font> at <font color="DarkRed">Houston Rockets</font> @ When: April 13, 8:30 PM ET Where: Toyota Center Local TV: Grizz Sports Net Starting Lineups- Position by Position Analysis PG- <font color="Navy">Jason Williams</font> vs <font color="DarkRed">Bob Sura</font>- This is probably the only even matchup of this game. Both are nice playmakers for their teams, can score when they need to, and both are nice role players for their teams. Although Sura can easily outrebound Williams, "White Chocolate" can drop more dimes and look better doing it as well. In addition to that, neither really has an athleticism advantage over the other, so I'll predict this matchup to be played through skill and finesse. Even Advantage SG- <font color="Navy">Mike Miller</font> vs <font color="DarkRed">David Wesley</font>- Well, these guys won't really be guarding each other but here it goes. Mike Miller has an obvious height advantage over David Wesley who really should be a point guard. Both of these guys can really shoot, but the difference is, David Wesley has been in a shooting slump for the longest time while Mike Miller has been playing steadily for Memphis. However, David Wesley is a much faster player standing an inch above six foot so watch him try and burn out Miller. Memphis Advantage PG- <font color="Navy">Shane Battier</font> vs <font color="DarkRed">Tracy McGrady</font>- This is one of the more lopsided matchups in this game but keep an eye out for Battier, who might try and change all that. Sure Battier might not have much offensive game compared to McGrady, but he does have the defense to make up for it. Plus, if he gets hot, he can definitely even this matchup a bit. However, McGrady has had some great games over Houston's road trip so watch him continue that trend tonight. He can flat out score and will burn Battier out through the court. So unless Battier can contain McGrady's usual twenty some points, Houston definitely takes this. Houston Advantage PF- <font color="Navy">Pau Gasol</font> vs <font color="DarkRed">Clarence Weatherspoon</font>- One of Memphis' best players against Houston's weakest position, not a matchup for the ages. Paul Gasol is Memphis' double double man and can definitely do damage in the paint. He brings a well balanced game- nice offense and great defense. Plus, he might even give Yao some trouble down low- thats whats going to hurt. Weatherspoon on the other hand will probably just be trying to grab boards for Houston and to take his shots when needed. He's just a role player for Houston so don't expect much from this matchup. Memphis Advantage C- <font color="Navy">Lorenzen Wright</font> vs <font color="DarkRed">Yao Ming</font>- With Yao, everything's unpredictable. One night he's hot, the other night he's cold. Therefore, this matchup basically depends on Yao's performance. If he can stay out of foul trouble and get into his shooting groove, he can definitely score a lot of points and grab a lot of rebounds for Houston. On the other hand, if he is rattled by fouls and gets minimal playing time, Yao won't be thriving and probably will hurt the team more than help. Wright is a monster on the boards, don't underestimate him. He plays great defense and should give Yao some trouble down low. If he disrupts Yao's games, Wright's done his job. Houston Advantage Keys to the Game -Pound the ball down low and be aggressive. With Gasol being a monster on the boards and Wright also bringing some rebounding, Memphis should try and out muscle Houston's weak interior down low. If they can give Yao trouble and put him into foul trouble, they don't have much to worry about offensively and it'll definitely make the game easier. -Good shooting night from the guards. With Williams, Miller, and Battier, Memphis has a flurry of guards that can all knock down jumpers. So if these guys consistently hit the shots tonight, they'll definitely give Houston some trouble since it'll stretch their defense- allowing Memphis to push it down low. -Tough defense. Every role player thats a starter has the potential to hit the outside shot on Houston, so Memphis better watch out. Basically just guard the man tight and don't let him take any easy shots. Just keep and hand in their face and chase them around the court. Memphis will do fine if they meet this requirement and disrupts Houston's offense. -Bench points. Because Memphis has a lot of depth, Houston's role players and bench players are going to need to step up. That means guys like Barry, Sura, James, and Wesley need to find their shot and consistently knock them down. Also, guys like Weatherspoon and Mutumbo need to be monsters on the board or else Memphis will easily grind out a win through their bench support. -Big games from McGrady and Yao. Really, when does this not help us. With McGrady getting hot, I don't think there is a single player in the league that can stop him. If you want proof, see the San Antonio game where the miracle happened- Duncan and Bowen were guarding him. Plus, if Yao steps up his game, he will be a monster in the paint with the obvious advantage over Wright and should give Gasol some trouble as well. -Play tough defense. Memphis has a lot of options when it comes to offense, so if Houston can play good man to man defense, it should stop any offensive surges. Hopefully, Houston won't play zone, which probably won't work well against Memphis' potential three point shooters with Miller and Battier. Prediction - 93 - 98
Great preview, AznxBaller. Anyway, this game disgusted me, especially our play at the point guard position. We finished with a combined five points and five assists out of Jason Williams and Earl Watson. We're not going to survive in the playoffs with them putting up those kind of numbers. I see that Bonzi Wells is still in the doghouse as well (0 pts, 0 rbs, 0 assists in 6 min). I'm glad that Mike Miller is playing so well as of late though. Not only did he have a career high in points last night (37) but he also led our team in assists. Over the last four games, he has been averaging over 25 points as well. By the way, what's with this picture on NBA.Com from the game?
Haha, you could also see a little tent in Yao's shorts. The Rockets simply played up to their potential in this game, although the Grizz do deserve props for coming back after being down 16. It's been the Rockets' main weakness this season, closing teams out. They let Phoenix come one dunk within winning a game in which the Suns were down 14 at the end of 3 quarters, then basically the same situation with Memphis last night. I could still see Memphis surprising Phoenix in the playoffs, if they meet in the first round.
