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

Atlanta Hawks 09-10 Season Game #24

Logo_memphisgrizzlies_medium
@ Atlanta-hawks_medium
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!