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The Memphis Grizzlies need every win possible to hold off the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs. They can't catch the Golden State Warriors, but there's a huge difference between playing the Dallas Mavericks in the first round, than playing one of the other teams on that list in the first round. (3/6 and 4/5 in the West is ridiculous.) In order to stay in the #2 seed the best thing Memphis can do is keep winning. Because of injuries, fatigue, or just poor play that's not something they have done consistently enough down the stretch run.
After losing three in a row, though, they have gone for wins in three of their last four. The embark on a three game road trip tonight, where the other two road games are @ Clippers and @ Warriors. So obviously tonight @ the Utah Jazz looks like the one they really have to go out there and make sure to get. Standing in their way, of course, are these young upstart Utah Jazz. A team that has beaten Memphis twice in Memphis this season, and is looking for their first season series victory against a top playoff contender in a while.
The Jazz will be without SG Alec Burks, and and PG Trey Burke; while the Grizz without SG Tony Allen. Beyond that this is really a fair fight. No one is tired. No one is limping.
Presumed Starters:
- PG: Mike Conley vs. Dante Exum
- SG: Courtney Lee vs. Rodney Hood
- SF: Jeff Green vs. Gordon Hayward
- PF: Zach Randolph vs. Derrick Favors
- C: Marc Gasol vs. Rudy Gobert
Bench Match-ups:
- Beno Udrih vs. Bryce Cotton
- Vince Carter vs. Elijah Millsap
- Nick Calathes vs. Joe Ingles
- Jon Leuer / Jarnell Stokes / JaMychal Green vs. Trevor Booker
- Kosta Koufos vs. Jack Cooley
Even though the Jazz haven't played a dedicated Memphis squad much in their victories these two teams do match up well. Rudy Gobert seems to have some special juju for the Gasol Brothers. If our guys want it, they have the talent to get a win. I hope to see them fight for one tonight.