Memphis @ Atlanta GameThread, Dec 16, 2009 7:00 PM EST

Preview and Game Thread #24: Memphis Grizzlies @ Atlanta Hawks

by hawksdawgs on Dec 16, 2009 2:47 PM EST Comment 256 comments

Memphis Grizzlies at Atlanta Hawks, Dec 16, 2009 7:00 PM EST

Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #24
	@
10-14		17-6
Philips Arena
Dec. 16th, 2009, 7:00 PM
Sports South, Hawks Radio Network, NBA Audio League Pass
Probable starters:
Mike Conley	PG	Mike Bibby
O.J. Mayo	SG	Joe Johnson
Rudy Gay	SF	Marvin Williams
Zach Randolph	PF	Josh Smith
Marc Gasol	C	Al Horford

Hawks Injury Report: Joe Smith is out.

Grizzlies Injury Report: Darrell Arthur is out.

Blogging With the Enemy: Straight out of Vancouver

Predicted bane of the Hawks existence: Marc Gasol

Game Preview:

The Grizzlies are quickly becoming quite an average team. Which is great news for their fans. And for the Hawks, it means they can easily take a team like Boston, playing perfectly fine basketball, down to the wire. Play bad basketball, they will beat you, and enjoy beating you.

What they won't do is play defense. The team is currently 29th in the league. So if I see even one psedo jump shot from Josh Smith, I am going to throw an honest to goodness tantrum. Zach Randolph knows he can't guard him so combine that with the fact that he won't try to and Josh should have a big night. That is not even mentioning Joe Johnson outweighs OJ Mayo by 30 lbs. No joke. Last year, I spent almost two quarters dumbfounded at the size difference.

Rudy Gay can score against anyone if he does not settle for jumpers. Marc Gasol will annoy you to know end, but you can't help but like him. In fact, I like their whole team. If offense was all that was required, I would love them. Even with the fact that the game has two ends of the floor, I can still root for the Griz most any night but tonight.

Keys to the game:

1. Know that you have mismatches. Exploit said mismatches.

2. Limit Memphis to one shot.

Heading back to Philips for the first time in a while, enjoy the game thread liberally. See you in the post game.

Go Hawks!

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JSmoove

First.

I’m afraid the Memphis style of play is gonna bring out the evil side of JSmoove.

He’s gonna see Zbo and Rudy jacking up contested jumpers and get nostalgic. Memphis likes to turn games in to isolation and jumpshooting. Woody better be a man and keep him under control.

by C-Viggity on Dec 16, 2009 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Another not "must win"...

but “can’t lose”. If we’re a potential top 3 seed, division winner, we win this game, and get a little Excessive Celebration to close it.

by Mr. Sanchez on Dec 16, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions

Potential to struggle here

It’s completely possible that the Hawks don’t realize how good the Grizzlies are because o the horrible start they got off to. But they’ve won 9 out of their last 15 and seem to have found a rhythm…it can’t hurt that AI is gone. They played a great game against Boston on Monday.

Not sure which way the Hawks out to attack. Mayo is only going to show a passing interest in stopping the ball, and Zach Randolph is really soft inside. Probably not going to be the best night for Horford, because Marc Gasol will bang with him, but if we let Josh drive inside all night, he should have some success.

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