My Team - Grizzlies at Denver

Been sitting on my butt Friday, goofing off. That's why I waited until now to write this.

A couple of things, from the "what is he thinking?" department:

One, the Grizzlies have three left-handed starters (Randolph, Prince, Conley), with two more on the bench (Davis, Wroten). How many NBA teams have five lefties on their rosters?

Two, lately as I watch defenders close out on long-range jump shooters, the defender seems to fly on by more often than not. I've never been a pro, or even varsity college player, but on the levels where I did play we were taught close on the shooting hand. After the defender lands, he/she reverse-pivots to a) box out the shooter, and b) be in position to get the long rebound (if it happens).

(Rants over.)

Friday night, the Grizzlies take on the run-and-gun Denver Nuggets. The Grizz have won 14 of their last 15 games. Teamwork has improved. The defense has been as gritty as ever. This Memphis team is a coach's dream, especially on offense. The passing has been crisper, the needless dribbling has lessened.

Denver is a road trip nightmare for a visitor. George Karl's team takes advantage of home court better than all but one other team in the league. The Nuggets have won their last 10 games overall, and they're 29-3 at home. Only the champion Heat (30-3) have a better home record.

Denver comes at their opponents in waves. The fast break train seems like it never stops. They substitute guys in who can maintain the pace. It's a team-oriented approach, and it works great. It appears all Nuggets are healthy and available for this game.

Much like Memphis recently, trading a "first option" guy (Carmelo Anthony) for team-oriented players has made the team deeper and more versatile. The casual fan may lament the lack of "superstar" names, but if you're rooting for your team to win games, these two rosters give you exactly that opportunity. They have 9 or 10 guys they can count on, so as an opponent you can't focus on one or two guys whom you think "we gotta stop this guy, and we'll win". You gotta play straight up, five-on-five against these Nuggets.

This is a good matchup. I've already made the jambalaya, so I can settle in and watch this uninterrupted.  My guess - Denver 108, Memphis 101. As usual, for Memphis to win, they've gotta keep this in the 90s. And also as usual, these guesses aren't for gaming purposes. They're just for me to look in mirror and say "I know what I'm talking about."

After the Game: Denver 87, Memphis 80. I hate the phrase "good loss" - it's still a loss, and losing stinks. However, Memphis took the "grindhouse" on the road and had a chance to win. Fourth quarter turnovers and questionable shot selection were too much to overcome. Being outscored 29-14 in the fourth will kill any team. Memphis shot 35% - 30 field goals, with 16 assists, 14 turnovers. Randolph went for 18 and 18 rebs.

Conley, Allen and Bayless combined for 10/34 FG/A. Bayless especially helped bog down the offense. "Dribble dribble, dribble dribble, dribble dribble, jack up a shot late in the shot clock" is the antithesis of the normal crisp ball movement Memphis has shown lately. On the nights Bayless isn't hitting jumpers, he has to find another way to help the team.

Denver shot 46% - 35 field goals, 18 assists, 16 turnovers. Denver's fourth quarter energy made the difference, but for the first three quarters Memphis exposed some glaring Nuggets weaknesses. Denver is prone to rush possessions in the half-court game, taking lots of shots early in the shot clock. They will also give up offensive rebounds/second chance points.(Memphis had 20 offensive rebounds, with Randolph getting 10 of that number.).

Kosta Koufos scored 18 for Denver, with 16 rebs. He is a productive, effective post player. Danilo Gallinari scored 15, including a late field goal that was a heartbreaker.

Friday's game had a playoff atmosphere in the stands, and playoff intensity on the floor. Lots of chippy play on both sides, guys getting knocked down and pushed around. These teams may meet in the first round, and if so it would be an entertaining series.

Next for Memphis, it's a Saturday night date in Salt Lake City against the Jazz. Party time on the Wasatch Front!