After the Suns showed great fight in their comeback attempt last night, and falling short to the Nuggets, can they grab a win against the Grizzlies tonight?
What: Memphis Grizzlies (5-13) @ Phoenix Suns (11-8)
When: 7:00pm AZ Time
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV
If you can muster through this one tonight between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns, you are a true Suns fan. The Grizzlies come to town with only five wins this season and without their superstar Ja Morant (suspension) and center Steven Adams (missing the entire season). The Suns, of course, will be without Bradley Beal and Devin Booker again.
Booker looks to return against the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night for the In-Season Tournament (IST).
A lot of us are now excited for the IST, but hopefully, the Suns don’t overlook a must-win game against the Grizzlies coming off a loss against the Denver Nuggets last night.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzles to a victory last night against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 30 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the three-point line. The Grizzlies are now on a two-game win streak, looking to carry their momentum against Phoenix in hopes of catching them off guard and pushing their streak to three games.
This season for the Grizzlies looks about over, but they might have other plans in saving it until Ja can suit back up for them at the 26-game mark.
Starting Lineups
Phoenix Suns
- Eric Gordon
- Grayson Allen
- Kevin Durant
- Keita Bate-Diop
- Jusuf Nurkic
Memphis Grizzlies
- Desmond Bane
- Derrick Rose
- David Roddy
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Bismack Biyombo
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns
- Devin Booker (Day-to-day)
- Bradley Beal (Out)
- Damion Lee (Out)
Memphis Grizzlies
- Marcus Smart (Out)
- Jake LaRavia (Out)
- Luke Kennard (Out)
- Steven Adams (Out)
- Brandon Clarke (Out)
What to Watch For
I will be watching for the continued dominance of Jusuf Nurkic, who has played every game this season for the Suns at center and continues to truly impress.
Nurkic scored a season-high 31 points against the Nuggets last night. Tonight should be an easier matchup for Nurkic, battling Bismarck Biyombo in hopes of leading the Suns to an easier victory tonight.
Kevin Durant did not make one field goal in the second half of last night’s game. it would be nice to see him get hot again before heading to Tuesday night’s game against the Lakers, beginning the IST.
Keys to a Suns Win
If the Suns can get up big early, they will have a chance to run away with this one. It is a scary matchup against this Grizzlies team fighting for their season. The Suns do not want this thing close heading into the fourth quarter. If so, I can see the Grizzlies pulling out a victory behind Bane’s hot shooting.
Prediction
I do predict the Suns to pull this one out and defeat the Grizzlies by 14-points.
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