New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies: Game 10 Preview - The Defensive Struggle

by marcus.privitt on Jan 12, 2012 11:36 AM CST

Records: New York Knicks (6-4) at Memphis Grizzlies (3-6)

8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

Line: Memphis by 4.5

Opponent Blog: Poasting and Toasting

The Grizzlies are attempting to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat tonight in welcoming the Knicks to town for their 10^th game of the season.

After starting the season with a two-point victory over the Boston Celtics, the Knicks slipped into a slump in which they lost four of five – lately, however, the Knicks have managed to turn it around and gain some momentum in winning the last four games – especially in their win against Philadelphia.

The Grizzlies have suffered bad beats in losses to both the Lakers and the Thunder and are looking at the Knicks to turn their season around. Though a loss a loss, the Grizzlies walked away from both losses with encouraging defensive numbers that could prove to be useful against the Knicks tonight.

Keys to the game:

(1) Memphis must hold Carmelo Anthony to a lower offensive production. In his last five games at the Forum, he’s averaged 31.8 points. And, of course, one can’t forget his March 9 game-winning jumper in the last second of the game in the Knicks win over Memphis. Carmelo put up 27 in his last affair against Philadelphia.

(2) Marc Gasol must keep pace with Tyson Chandler and Amare Stoudemre down low. The two big men in New York still haven’t quite figured out their roles in the offense: Gasol needs to exploit that weakness.

The Knicks defense has been what has making them win games. A win will come for the Grizzlies if they can create and execute the open looks efficiently – they’re not going to win by playing the knit-and-grit down low, especially without Zach Randolph. Lastly, look for Rudy Gay to have a big night tonight – in the past, he’s fared well against the Knicks (22.0 points). Hopefully, it’ll be a night for him to turn his season around. He needs it.

Final Prediction: New York 88, Memphis 92

As usual, the Game Thread will be up and running at 8:00 PM. Game Thread attendance has been great this season - keep it up!

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Game is on TNT broadcast

by xangoir on Jan 12, 2012 12:29 PM CST reply actions

I'll be threading it up tonight

Not able to make it to the game. I’m looking forward to this one, I fear an embarrasing loss, but I am encouraged by our recent efforts that maybe we can pull out a win tonight. 4-6 looks worlds better than 3-7.

It was a particularly small egg...thats why I asked.

by thenightstallion on Jan 12, 2012 12:55 PM CST reply actions

Don't Get Alex Smith'd

Last year when we played these guys, not only did Melo have his way, but guys like Roger Mason were knocking down threes all night. We can’t get Alex Smith’d if we’re going to win tonight.

It was a particularly small egg...thats why I asked.

by thenightstallion on Jan 12, 2012 3:30 PM CST reply actions

what’s Alex Smith’d?

by xangoir on Jan 12, 2012 4:08 PM CST reply actions

I forget what game I brought this up in, but I was talking about making the opposing teams best players beat you. Earlier this season, the Giants played the 49ers. All week long the talk was, “We’ve gotta stop Frank Gore. Stop Frank Gore, beat the 49ers.” Well, we held Frank Gore to 0 yards rushing, but they torched us in the passing game. There’s honor in being beaten by the very best the other team has to throw at you. When you make other players beat you, I. E. Roger Mason and Toney Douglas, and end up getting “Alex Smith’d” its really tough to stomach.

Flopper liked it a lot, so I guess that was mainly for him.

It was a particularly small egg...thats why I asked.

by thenightstallion on Jan 12, 2012 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Still like it, and thanks

By the way, the Knicks should be fearful of being Dante Cunningham’d (no, we’re not keeping that one around, it’s strictly one-time use only). For the most part, he and Speights were really solid against the Thunder, and they have good-defending big men. Tyson will obviously be on Marc, so both of them should be able to have their way with Amare.

"Sasha [Vujacic] has no conscience. He'd shoot at a funeral." -Charles Barkley

by ForeignFlopper on Jan 12, 2012 6:14 PM CST up reply actions

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