Wednesday night, the Grizzlies face off against a re-tooled New Orleans Pelicans team. They have some young guys like Anthony Davis (averaging 22 PPG/12 RPG). This team isn't a pushover. They lost 104-98 at Phoenix Tuesday night, setting their record at 1-3.
Even with missing F Ryan Anderson's 3-point shooting prowess, this team has some talented parts. Davis is gonna be a handful for either Randolph or Gasol. Davis can out-jump either, and he's gonna be a focal point of New Orleans' offense. He's also a good shot blocker. Fortunately, Memphis has Kosta Koufos who can come in and defend Davis/sacrifice some fouls in defending Davis.
New Orleans also has Al-Farouq Aminu at small forward, 7-footer Jason Smith at center, Eric Gordon at shooting guard, and Jrue Holiday at the point. This starting lineup is competitive. I would guess they will want to run as much as reasonably possible. This should give Memphis fits in the first half, since the Grizz have made slow starts an ongoing habit. Aminu is a willing wingman on the break, although he isn't the most electrifying skywalker on the break. Gordon shoots a lot, but is a decent shooter. Holiday is quick enough to stay with Conley on both ends. This Pelicans team matches up with Memphis pretty well.
Bench play may be the deciding factor. The Bayless that scored 15 fourth quarter points against Boston can give Memphis a huge lift. Will we see that Bayless tonight? Some combination of Koufos, Ed Davis and Jon Leuer will have to produce on both ends against Davis.
New Orleans has former University of Memphis Tiger Tyreke Evans coming off the bench. He's good at handling the ball and getting to the rim as a hybrid guard. His outside shot still needs work. Anderson's injury (chipped toe on right foot) takes away an offensive threat that New Orleans may not be able to replace. G Brian Roberts and SF Anthony Morrow are quality substitutes that will keep Bayless and Pondexter occupied when both teams use second unit personnel.
New Orleans is averaging just under 101 PPG early on. Memphis is averaging 104.5 in its' first four games. That is close to my final score guess - Memphis 103, New Orleans 101. It will be an entertaining game. Davis will be the best player on the floor, and people are gonna start talking him up as Most Improved Player. He'll get 25 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks and a couple of "oh, my" moments.
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