NETS GAMENIGHT – #Nets @ #Grizzlies

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Updated: January 25, 2013

GAMENIGHT

 Brooklyn Nets (26-16) @ Memphis Grizzlies (27-14)

FedEx Forum 8:00

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Brooklyn Nets will continue their current four-game road trip Friday night against the defensive-minded Memphis Grizzlies and hope to continue their winning ways.  During the road trip the Nets averaging 91.0 points and 17.3 turnovers while shooting 42.2 percent so there is definitely room for improvement but they are still winning so that is a great sign.

The last win in Minnesota, which snapped an eight game losing streak there, was not the prettiest and there was a bunch of defensive breakdowns but the difference in this Nets team is that they can overcome these deficiencies and still come out on top.  They scored a dismal 38 points in the second half and ended the game shooting 44 percent from the field and a horrid 6-for-20 from 3-point range.  The turnovers were the main obstacle and it allowed the Timberwolves to get back into the game and almost repeat their performance from earlier in the year at the Barclay Center.

[quote_box]P.J. “We’re grateful for the win, but hopefully we realize we need to play a little more consistently than we did (Wednesday),” said Carlesimo, whose team has won five of six away from home.[/quote_box]

The Grizzlies are among the NBA leaders in opponent field goal percentage (43.5) and scoring defense (89.5) so the Nets will have to play well and limit the turnovers to be able to come away with a third win on this trip.  The Grizzlies offense have been stagnant in the past couple of weeks and have gone 6-4 in the last 10 games.  The Grizzlies went six straight games without topping 85 points before scoring 106 in a win over the Lakers on Wednesday.

The Grizzlies frontcourt is solid with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph leading the way and scoring a combined 30 points per game and grabbing almost 20 rebounds per game.  The Nets will have to match that production if they want to leave FedEx Forum with a solid road win.

Matchup of the Game:  Brook Lopez vs Marc Gasol

Lopez will have to play his normal consistent game and also try to get Gasol into foul trouble early to allow Memphis to go to their bench and reduce the production up front.  Gasol is a very good one-on-one defender and will be a test for Lopez but with the way Lopez is playing and his recent All-Star snub he should be focused and angry.  Gasol can step out and shoot like Lopez at times but does have a tendency to get into foul trouble so the matchup will be key to the games outcome.

Nets:

Tyshawn Taylor and Tornike Shengelia (D-League assignment).

Grizzlies:

Quincy Pondexter (grade‐2 left MCL sprain) is OUT

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