When: October 31, 2015; 8:00 PM EST
Where: FedEx Forum; Memphis, TN
TV: YES Network
Radio: WFAN
In each of their first two games — both against playoff teams from last season, the Bulls and Spurs — the Brooklyn Nets held the lead at halftime thanks to strong second quarter performances. However, in the second half of those losses, mainly in the third quarter, the Nets fell apart. Brooklyn was outscored 57-45 by Chicago on Wednesday in the final two frames and 60-28 last night in San Antonio.
Tonight in Memphis, against Lionel Hollins’ old team, the Grizzlies, the Nets look to reverse that ugly trend and finally win their first game of the 2015-16 regular season. Coming off the 102-75 defeat at the hands of the Spurs on Friday, the Nets will need to get off a strong start but, more importantly, continue to play well for a full 48 minutes, not just 24.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies — following a brutal season-opening loss at home to the Cavaliers by a score of 106-76 — got back on the right track Thursday in Indianapolis with a 112-103 victory over the Pacers. Memphis made the Western Conference semifinals last season after taking down the Trail Blazers in the opening round. However, the future NBA Champion Golden State Warriors took them down in six games, leaving Marc Gasol and crew hungry for another postseason shot.
Former Nets Vince Carter and Courtney Lee are both members of Dave Joerger’s squad, which is well-balanced from top to bottom but is especially intimidating in the starting frontcourt. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol are very good scorers and rebounders, so they are tough matchups for the undersized Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez.
Probable lineups
BKN- Jarrett Jack (PG), Markel Brown (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
MEM- Mike Conley (PG), Courtney Lee (SG), Tony Allen (SF), Zach Randolph (PF), Marc Gasol (C)
Final thoughts
Considering how many teams in the NBA, at least on the surface, have better rosters than the Nets do, it doesn’t mean much to mention how the Grizzlies are an especially bad matchup for Brooklyn. Yet, I’m going to say it anyway, because it’s going to be very hard for Jarrett Jack to stick with Mike Conley, almost impossible for Thad Young to keep Zach Randolph off the boards and not easy for Brook to get his usual points against Marc Gasol.
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