It is March 13, 2012 and the (25-16) Los Angeles Lakers are in the “Mid-South” – the southeast corner of the state of Tennessee – for a run against the (24-16) Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers hit the road after an invigorating 97-94 win against their rival, the Boston Celtics. L.A. got a 59-point, 30-rebound, 14-assist and 2-block performance from shooting guard Kobe Bryant, center Andrew Bynum and power forward Pau Gasol in the matchup.
Boston’s Derek Fisher, Steve Blake and Metta World Peace combined for 25 points from the point guard and small positions. The purple and gold however, were able to survive 17 turnovers, 9 missed free throws and losing the offensive rebounding battle. The Lakers lead the current season series (1-0) with the Grizzlies after splitting last season’s series (2-2).
In the 90-82 win over the Grizzlies on January 8th, the Lakers were able to hold on to the majority of a 10-point lead and overcome 27 turnovers, 16 of which came in the second half. L.A. is 7-3 in the last 10 games overall against Memphis and has gone 7-3 in the team’s last 10 contests at FedEx Forum.
In 55 career games, (48 starts) Kobe Bryant has averaged 24.8 points against the Grizzlies. The matchup of the Gasol brothers – Pau’s brother Marc is a Memphis center – is always special. In 10 games against his former team (he played for the Grizzlies from 2001 to 2008), Pau Gasol is averaging 15.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.45 blocks. The Grizzlies are 15-5 at home. Winners of nine of their last 12 games, Memphis would hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference if the playoffs started today. L.A. would hold the third seed in the same conference.
As the trade deadline approaches, it is obvious that Kobe Bryant needs help on the perimeter. However, trading Pau Gasol is not a move that makes sense at this time. The only significant player addition that makes sense for L.A. right now is point guard Deron Williams and that will probably will not happen. The Lakers would be wise to hold off on any trades at this time. They should be interested in a second-tier guard that can handle the ball, score, assist and rebound.
The Grizzlies are a talented young team that wants to play up-tempo basketball and run the Lakers out of the gym. The Lakers have to control the tempo, do a solid job of defending the pick-and-roll, get back in transition, control the boards and quickly rotate out to open shooters.
L.A. needs to continue to establish Bynum and Gasol in the painted area. The Grizzlies do not have the size to match up with the Lakers’ front line. The west coast team needs to attack the Grizzlies on the interior as well as communicate on defense, keep their men in front of them and receive a huge contribution from their reserves.
Starters
Lakers: D. Fisher, K. Bryant, M. Barnes, P. Gasol, A. Bynum
Grizzlies: M. Conley, T. Allen, S. Young, D. Cunningham, M. Gasol
Tip-off: 5:00 PM PST
Television –
- Los Angeles: KCAL 9 (Bill Macdonald & Stu Lantz)
- Memphis: FS South TN (Pete Pranica & Sean Tuohy)
Radio –
- Los Angeles: 710 ESPN (John Ireland & Mychal Thompson)
- Memphis: 103.5 FM (Eric Hasseltine & Hank McDowell)
Injuries –
Lakers:
- Kobe Bryant (Nasal Fracture, Concussion) Probable
- Steve Blake (Costochaondral Fracture) Probable
- Andrew Bynum (Bruised Right Knee) Probable
- Luke Walton (Gastroenteritis) Not with the team
Grizzlies:
- Zach Randolph (Slight MCL tear in Right Knee) Doubtful
- Darrell Arthur (Achilles Tendon) Out
- Rudy Gay (Concussion) Out