Matchup: Hornets(46-33) @ Grizzlies(45-34)
Off Efficiency: Hornets 104.3(15th), Grizzlies 104.3(15th)
Def Efficiency: Hornets 101.9(7th), Grizzlies 102.3(8th)
We did this not long ago, and were embarrassed by the way the Grizzlies big men controlled the paint and their perimeter defense made our offense look like Jar-Jar Binks at war – flailing about uselessly and only making something happen by sheer stupid luck. Mee-sah worried.
The Grizzlies are going to be at home tonight and we shouldn’t expect them to let up. Since Rudy Gay and his inefficient scoring and one-dimensional game hit the injured list, they’ve been playing Tony Allen and his vicious defense and efficient offense in his stead and it’s had a huge impact. (The stat-geek in me enjoys the way Gay and Carmelo have once again provided examples of how high-volume but inefficient scoring is so badly overrated by the league.) The Grizzlies are on a mission, and it looks like the 7th seed is their target. Not sure why they’d want it and the ensuing Lakers series, but they are going after it.
The Hornets, however, are also playing fairly well. Even with several awful starts it seems like Ariza and Paul have ramped up their intensity, generating more fast-break easy buckets in a couple weeks than we’ve seen all year. Yes, the offense still sputters badly for minutes at a time, but their defense, with an engaged Ariza, can be chaos incarnate for stretches at a time.
As for the Hornets’ playoff race, Portland won last night. As long as the Hornets at least match what Portland does, they take the six seed, so they need to keep pace with a win tonight in Memphis. Also – with a win tonight, the Hornets make it impossible for the Grizzlies to move up past them in the standings, so like all games in this stretch run, this is an important one.
Injuries:
Grizzlies: Rudy Gay and Jason Williams are out.
Hornets: David West
Gonna skip the positional analysis today. I do want to point out one fun scenario the Hornets could find themselves in on April 13th as the season comes to a close.
That night, the Hornets take on Dallas. Thanks to the recent Laker swoon, it’s possible that Dallas could be locked into the 2nd seed(or able to seal it with a win) at that point. At the same time, the Hornets could have the opportunity that night to clinch the 6th seed over Portland with a win.
That, of course, would put the Hornets in the position of fighting for a win and facing the Lakers in the first round, or losing and facing the Mavericks. You make the call in the comments – what would Monty do? Lose strategically or fight to win on principle?
And yes, I spend too much time thinkin through all these scenarios.
Enjoy the Game!
16 responses to “Game On: Hornets @ Grizzlies (Live Chat!)”
When the hell did the 2-3-4 race become just as close as the 6-7-8 race?? I thought the Lakers had the 2 seed rapped up!
Anyway, yes, we lose strategically by “resting our starters.” We have zero chance against the Lakers, and Dallas is, shall we say, le assholes
EASILY lose on strategy i would love to face the mavs rather than the big bad lakers
We can’t control anything at this point.
I say win as long as you rest those that are banged up, and then deal with that scenario if it materializes. It may, but it’s low probability.
And even if we end up with the Lakers, or OKC really, we aren’t going to win the series in all likelihood. We can, however, rip them a new one like OKC did the Lakers last year. Sure, they won the title, but look what that series did for the franchise. They won their first 2 home games. That’s it. Pack the Hive, CHEER FOR OUR GOD DAMNED TEAM, and let the wheel weave as the wheel wills.
As long as we fear, we’ll feel like garbage.
We need to accept our station, and then tear some new orifices on the teams that step to the mic.
“The stat-geek in me enjoys the way Gay and Carmelo have once again provided examples of how high-volume but inefficient scoring is so badly overrated by the league.”
Ryan, I ask this at my own peril, I know: What else is in you?
I personally think u play to win these next few games to continue this overall good basketball that has been played this last week. Put yourself in the best possible position and as 42 stated make the decision on the last game when u get there based on the preference of opponent. Regardless of we play, if we have this engaged Ariza on both ends of the floor the team as a dramatically different feel and creates and element of athleticism the offense has lacked all year. In turn CP3 becomes even more dangerous. To say he scored 7 against the Suns he controlled the tempo probed the lane n when Ariza cuts hard to the goal n finishes at the rim everything around the paint collapses. I hope Ariza keeps it up, but I still wanna avoid the Lakers no matter how we do it.
You know, Ian, if we Ariza and Okafor can play on, with the real Chris Paul . . . just one other guy having a good game could spell bad news for whoever we draw.
Way to connect optimism to real life. Good man.
Exactly. Just one other guy rather its Landry or the Marco/Willie/Jack combo. CP3 has never had 2 players in starting 5 that have the ability to play above the rim like Landry and Ariza at any point in his career so there isn’t much tape to study of the hornets team that can run n thrive off of fastbreak buckets that dont end in a jumper. Okafor has been consistent CP3 just needs to look for his shot even if its just his midrange jumper
I think the Hornets would play that game like a preseason game..giving the starters limited action especially if they knew they were gonna play Dallas. I think the Lakers will bounce back at home in a big way, vs OKC tonight and possibly against the spurs on tuesday night as well… Hornets should win tonight, win tomorrow, and cheer for memphis on tuesday.
Lakers have been playing weird lately, losing at home twice in their 4 game slide, after winning 9 of the previous 10 (9 in a row).
Something tells me Phil wants us just as much as some of us don’t want the Lakers. Stands to reason right?
I wouldn’t put it past him. Dude’s got a pretty heft cerebrum.
Though it would be lovely to see Cuban’s head explode after the Hornets take his soft-as-puddin’ team in 6, we can’t out-think ourselves leading up to the playoffs. Was it Rocky III where Rocky is out-psyched by Drago in match one because he figures there’s *no-way* he can beat the Moscow Mauler?? But once he’s over the psychological barrier he pounds him in match two (plus Stallone was … ahem … “hanging out” with Bridget Nielsen during filming). The Hornets gotta have that attitude with the Lakers … they ain’t “all that.” Besides we came within 6, if I recall correctly, of beating them at Staples earlier this year. If we play ’em so be it … let’s proceed to kick their A***S. Evidently Monty despises the Lakers .. he let that out in so many words in a TP interview a few days ago.
IV. III was the Mr. T one.
Nice by the way.
“He is like a piece of iron.”
And yes, he said so.
From yesterday’s Bee Bite:
“Never, ever, ever, ever will I be a Lakers fan,â€
http://www.hornets247.com/news/2011/04/09/walking-on-the-suns/
Who dude, ur way confused on the Rocky deal. In Rocky III he got beat the first time and psyched out by Mr. T, Clubber Lane. He came back after training with Appllo to beat the snot outta Mr. T cuz Appllo actually taught him how to fight. Before that, he was just a guy who stood toe-to-toe and fought with heart. It’s in Rocky IV that he beats the Russian, and he does it the first time he fights him. He does it to avenge Appllo who fights the Russian in the beginning of the movie and gets killed.
Holy Analogies Batman- Jar Jar Binks-Yikes. But sort of appropriate in a perverse way. The Hornets will show us what they are made of tonight-for better or worse. The last Grizzlies game was depressing. I think the Bees are better than that, and I think they will show it tonight. I say a three point Hornet win and some vindication.
it’s time to apply the Gec Plan. Lose all the remaining games.
They are showing the NBATV special NO on the rise. im crying my ass out
Is that the one set after Katrina?
Or some more recent production?