GameThread: Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets

by djturtleface on Apr 12, 2010 12:30 PM CDT

Memphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets, Apr 12, 2010 8:00 PM CDT

A little teardrop came to my eye when I looked at my editorial dash and noticed that the "gamethreads" section is looking particularly short, with just two games left this season.

Again, we've been hammering the same point as the coaches, the goal this late in the season -- once the playoffs were out of reach -- has been for the Grizz to finish above .500. That means they'll need to win tonight in Denver and Wednesday at Oklahoma City.

Tonight's game won't be an easy one. The Denver Nuggets are particularly tough at home, what with the mountain air and Pepsi Center energy. Kenyon Martin is now back, but Marc Gasol isn't. That means Darrell Arthur and Zach Randolph will be giving up a lot of size and hops against the triumvirate of Chris Andersen, Nene, and K-Mart.

O.J. Mayo has played well against the Nuggets this year, but he's going to be slightly hobbled with a sprained ankle. Mike Conley has come on strong lately, but Ty Lawson and Chauncey Billups are both difficult matchups.

Let's hope for two wins -- but a loss tonight won't be the end of the world, or the end of the season. OKC on ESPN is the game we should really worry about.

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This game is going to be all over NBA Coast to Coast...

And the Grizz got the Thunder in the Wednesday game. Hopefully this kind of mainstream media treatment keeps up through next season.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Apr 12, 2010 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

hope they can win those 2

It would be good to win both Denver and OKC. Fitting end to lay an egg opening night and closing night at home and then beat 2 top playoff teams in a row on the road to finish the season. would be very characteristic of the season.

Denver shot .392% Saturday against Spurs. If they continue down that route we get a win there. OKC is not slowing down at all. That would be a long shot win.

I see us losing both games in double digits though.

by xangoir on Apr 12, 2010 12:47 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah, OKC is going to be a major problem...

But I think both are going to be fun games to watch at least.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Apr 12, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Not so fast

OKC has struggled down the stretch. Their defense hasn’t looked nearly as good…so that gives us a better shot. Of course, if they’re still clawing their way out of the 7 or 8 spot they may be slightly more motivated.

by mtblueraider on Apr 12, 2010 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Right, they haven't been great...

Although arguably they should have beat the Jazz since Durant got fouled on the final shot.

Still tough even with their recent trouble though, since our real advantage (center) is gone with Marc out. Russell Westbrook is an awful match-up for Conley, and the mix of Thabo and Kevin Durant is always trouble for Rudy and O.J.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Apr 12, 2010 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions