Matchup: Grizzlies(42-33) @ New Orleans Hornets(43-32)
Off Efficiency: Grizzlies 104.5 (15th), Hornets 103.9(19th)
Def Efficiency: Grizzlies 102.9(11th), Hornets 101.7(7th)
Pace: Grizzlies 94.5 (15th), Hornets 90.9 (29th)
The Hornets have two games left against the Grizzlies in the closing eight games, and they are both must-win contests. Tonight is the easier of the two, since it’s a Friday home game in front of what is expected to be a large, but not sell-out crowd. As of now there are around 350 “hits” still available, which can be anywhere from 1-8 seats. Don’t have tickets yet? Make that happen.
It’s a beautiful day here in New Orleans, so Buzzfest and the beer garden should be bumping. When that happens, it leads to a riled up crowd, which makes the Hornets and their 25-11 home record all the more deadly.
Here are the Western Conference Standings-
As you can see, the Hornets are still mired in a tough fight to the finish, with uncertainty still running rampant about whether or not they can even make the postseason (they will). There’s also lots of talk about which seed would be ideal, but with so much ball left to play, the best course of action according to Monty Williams is to win every game. I have to imagine that might change in the last few games of the season, when things are a little more clear.
As for the game tonight, the Grizzlies are bad outside scorers, so the Hornets main goal should be to keep them from penetrating. They take only 11.3 threes per game, and for good reason– their shooting percentage from deep is a mere 32.8 percent, third to last in the league. New Orleans is 11th in the league in three-point shooting percentage allowed, but as we all know, they can at times struggle to locate open shooters on the perimeter.
With Rudy Gay out, Memphis should struggle to get inside against the Hornets, but they could still be able to win if Okafor and Landry can’t stop Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol from getting easy buckets inside. The Grizz hit a huge percentage of their shots from that range, and it’s unclear if Landry has the size to prevent them from having their way inside. If Carl struggles early, it will almost certainly mean big minutes for Aaron Gray.
On defense Memphis has let opponents knock down the long ball at a 37.2 percent clip, 25th in the league, so the Hornets should have a good number of opportunities to hit the crowd pleasing shot. If Belinelli can find his range early, the Hornets should be able to make this a long night for the Grizz defense, as that will open up the inside for Paul.
As for CP3, it really looked like he was moving like his old self in Wednesday’s game, but his shot was noticeably off again. Paul is only 8/25 (32%) in his past two games, but has averaged 10.5 assists vs only 1.5 turnovers, to go along with six boards and three steals over the two game stretch against Western Conference playoff teams.
Notes From the Arena
- Joe will be on the Daily Dime Chat for most of the evening. Stop by and say hi if you have a minute. Let people know that there are TONS of Hornets fans out there.
- A few days ago I wrote an article about how the New Orleans Hornets win the championship, but I feel like I was way too negative. Sorry about that, but the D-West injury got me down. This team still plays great defense, and if somehow Landry and Okafor can stay out of foul trouble for the majority of the postseason, there really is a better chance than I gave them to get out of the first round.
Enjoy the game! No chat today, but I’ll try to get one for the next home game if I can swing it.
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Sorry the post was so late getting up today. I wrote it earlier, thought I pressed publish, and then ran out the door to a meeting. Apparently it didn’t publish. Anyway, the meeting is certainly related to this site. If it works out, you’ll be the first to know the good news.
45 responses to “Game On: Grizzlies @ Hornets”
Joe…sorry, but what’s the Daily Dime chat? Stop by where?
it’s on nba page on espn. click on “daily dime”
Chat on espn.com/nba
I’m running very late to the game, so I won’t be outside beforehand. Sorry.
I thought the Hornets needed to go 6-6 in their last 12 with a win a over Portland to make the playoffs and possibly get a rest game (and I posted it). Some how, in spite of the season ending injury to David West, the Hornets are 3-2 in the first 5 of those those 12 games, including a win over Portland (!), and looking good for the 6th seed.
Portland looks like they will go either 4-3 or 3-4 in their last 7 games. The Hornets should be able to get at least 4 wins in our last 7 games, which put us ahead of Portland because we win the tie-breaker.
If we win one more game over Memphis to win that series (we have two games with Memphis left), that would mean our current one game lead over Memphis is really a two game lead. So Memphis would have to win all of their other 6 games to beat us, assuming we go 4-3.
We could literally lock up 6th place with wins in the next four home games. (Portland should go 1-4 in that period.)
So look at the scores and come out to support your Hornets!!!!!!!!!!
Correction to Memphis analysis: If we beat Memphis tonight, our 1 game lead becomes a 3 game lead because we have the tie-breaker advantage with Memphis, too. So if we go 4-3, Memphis can’t catch us even if they go 6-0 in their last 6 games.
So come out to support your Hornets!!!!!!!!!!
Caption: (Jack) “GET OVER HERE!” (in Scorpion from Mortal Kombat voice)
Aaaaahhhhhhhhh Hornets247 been on tour but man it feels good to be back on here!
good to have you back. What tour?
I got to fill in and play drums for another band (kinda big name & I don’t really wanna name drop) and did the west coast leg of the tour then did Australia and just got back Sunday.
toasty!
It’s Aaron Gray time tonight, baby!
ready for this shit
Another big game. Chris Paul will have to put up big numbers. It’s a good thing we won’t have to see Rudy Gay in this game. I’m expecting 20,12, and 5 from CP3.
Of course he hits a 3 because the game preview called out their ineptitude at doing so 🙂
Hello to all. Home from work and turning the game on #LeaguePass… Lets geaux Bees….
Wasn’t planning on staying up for this one, but here we go!
I’m hoping for another foul on Gason in the first Q.
Glad to see paul looking for his shot early but wish they were a little more on the mark.
It’s very frustrating with CP3’s jumper being this inconsistent, let’s just hope he can get into the groove come playoff time.
A small part of me dies every time Ariza touches the ball on offense…
Green is ready for the playoffs , we’re gonna have alot guys playing in their first post-season
I was wondering what was up with the Grizz’ and their beards.
This is a terrible game. Maybe because it is almost 2am here, I don’t know.
Almost 3am here… And yeah, this is starting to look real bad. They really have to pick up the intensity here.
Chris Paul barking at the official there is probably a good sign. Even if some one got a T right now, it would probably be beneficial.
Apparently the refs want to decide the outcome of this game… This is not why I watch basketball!
refs killin’ us
Controversial goaltends and the hornets go hand in hand apparently
chris paul has to score before the half , just has too
One thing Landry gives the Hornets that West does not is the ability to catch and finish above the rim.
down 11. push harder for the hornets.
Wow….. Pissin me off!
what the hell EVEN MARC GASOL IS MAKING 3s NOW?!
This game is making me feel like I’m being April fooled…..what the heck is going on?!
wow, the refs are really freaking pissin me off, did anyone see zack randolph pull down mek in front of the refs and they just looked at him…. wow, them chris goes down for a layup and gets fouled but guess wat, no call, this is complete bullshit! mane if the second half is called like this…. can someone give me a plan to get the nbas attention and show them this game?? there has to be a way
I would not be upset if the Hornets committed a couple offensive fouls from knocking people over when going up strong around the basket. Just put their entire body weight into the body of the defender and lay them out. Not on a drive, on point blank shots going nearly straight up.
Quietly Ariza is having a good game….
its my birthday!(april 1) give me a win Hornets!!
Happy birthday
oops…. I jinxed him.. lol.. we will be ok.. We have them right where we want them!
Personally, I do not feel the refs are doing a bad job tonight. The Bees came out with no energy, and they still have not really got into the game.
Run them flags! Thank you Belli! Let’s get some stops!
Every screen from the Hornets is apparently an offensive foul.
Marco has turned himself into a player in front of our eyes this season.
I’m really hoping for a miracle here… We need some defense! They’ve scored so many easy buckets inside!
Bad loss.
There goes that game… Depressing loss. I used to have hope for a playoff upset by the Hornets, but even if we get the Mavs in the first round, this is how they’re gonna play. No chance of winning.
I’d imagine we won’t win many games if CP has more rebounds than Landry…
Or if our Rookie has more points than our All-Star/Captain.