<div align="left"> @ </div> <font color="red">Blazers: 18-24 (Won 1)</font> <font color="darkorange">Grizzlies: 25-18 (Won 8)</font> <font color="red">By Trail_Blazer 76</font> When: Wednesday, January 28th Where: The Pyramid Time: 8:00pm ET Probable Starters Damon Stoudamire/Jason Williams Derek Anderson/Mike Miller Darius Miles/James Posey Zach Randolph/Pau Gasol Rasheed Wallace/Lorenzen Wright Key Matchup Zach Randolph vs. Pau Gasol <div align="left"></div> Two up-and-coming forwards will battle it out tonight. Interesting fact: they are both in their third year, and they have identical fg % (.476). Gasol is clearly more experienced (he's had significant minutes every year he's been in the league), but Randolph leads in almost every statistical category. The keys for both players are simple. Randolph has a slight advantage because Pau has less stamina than him (he plays 7 fewer mpg). When Pau is out, Randolph should go in....to the paint. Expect the Blazers to feed him the ball on every possession when Pau is out. Defensively, Randolph has much to learn, and can really do nothing other than force Gasol to shoot jumpers. <div align="left">For Pau, bring it hard to Randolph so that he won't be able to take advantage during those 7 minutes when Pau is out. Although it isn't fully developed his post game will eventually be elite, and their is no way for Randolph to defend against his hook shot. </div> X-factors Derek Anderson & Bonzi Wells <div align="left"></div> Recently DA has not been his normal self shooting-wise. The Blazers will not win this game if he has a 0-10 or 2-10 shooting performance. Although he has historically been a three point specialist, he will need to start this game off by making some easy shots (lay-ups, etc). Any coach/player will tell you that this is the best way to increase confidence when your shot is not falling. Once he gets going, his outside shot will be more effective in crunch time. <div align="left">Bonzi's homecoming was cancelled because of a snow storm. This is his second meeting against his old team, and he'll have something to prove. In the past he's been the type to settle for jumpers, but tonight he'll be taking it to the hole and embarrassing people. With Shane Battier injured he'll get more minutes, and the team will expect a big game out of him. </div> <font color="red"> The Trail to Victory</font> <div align="left">The Blazers need to contain Pau. Mouse needs to be a leader in this came because his opposition doesn't play D. Getting boards is the main key to the game, especially on the offensive end. If they can do this, and get second-chance shots, they just might squeak by with a W. </div> <font color="#ff8c00">Clawing their way to the top</font> I've never considered the Grizzlies to be a great three-point shooting team, but even without Battier, Miller and Williams can light it up. The Blazers have a horrible perimeter defense (Mouse is the weakest link). It may seem like a silly game plan, but I think that the trey will win this game for the Grizzlies. The only problem is that the Blazers have superior rebounders, so the Grizz better make sure that their shots fall. ***Trail_Blazer76's Prediction*** Struggling teams don't usually end the winning streaks of hot teams. Enjoy your revenge Bonzi. Grizzlies by 5.
Grizzlies by 8. They have been playing great of late. You dont know who is going to step up on any given night look for Posey and Miller to have big games.
Nice preview. The Grizzlies are very hot at the moment and The Pyramid is really buzzing. I cant see the Blazers winning, especially in Memphis. Grizz by 10
i gotta give this game to the Grizzlies,simply their bench is deeper and how many times have the Blazers won on the road? Grizzlies by 12
I for one have faith in the blazers and I think they will win by 6. I for one have faith in the blazers and I think they will win by 6. I guess you can call me a believer but hey I love my blazers.
Blazers on the road equal no victory. They are horrible on the road. Grizz are hot and i expect a 10+ win for them. I think Randolph will beat Gasol up tho.
Excellent preview TB76, But I'll have to go for Memphis tonight. The Grizzlies are playing so well right now, and they're playing very consistently at home. I expect them to continue the winning streak to 9 games. Memphis by 13.
http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread...9243#post169243 That's a link to Wave's preview in the Grizzlies forum. Everyone go there and post things from the Grizzlie's perspective!
End of the first quarter (extremely low scoring). Blazers lead by 4 18-14. Randolph is bringing his A-game, and has 10 pts on 5-5 shooting. Edit: Well the Blazers ended up winning this one. Check it out: http://www.nba.com/games/20040128/PORMEM/boxscore.html
Man, I don't think I've ever gotten a prediction right in the Blazers forum.... anyways, how did Woods do running the 2nd team tonite?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">how did Woods do running the 2nd team tonite?</div> 8 points on 3/10 shooting, and 3 assists in 17 minutes. That's a pretty decent stat line. The only negative part is the shooting.
HAHAHA! I?m the only one that said the Blazers would win and then did! W00t The Sheed Machine Owned Tonight
This is great, they pulled off the W once again on the road. Hopefully they will beat Atlanta today and chalk up another road win.
