Uncategorized

Game Preview: Sixers Look to Stop the Memphis Playoff Push

Will Rockenbach Sports Editor

Published11 Apr 2014

Disclosure

We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

The Sixers (17-61) travel down south tonight to face the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32). Memphis has dropped 4 of their last 6 but put on a good show for their home fans Wednesday night, beating Miami for their 12^th consecutive home victory. The Sixers, like the Grizzlies, have also experienced struggles in recent games and since beating Detroit to snap their 26-game losing streak they have a record of 1-4.

During the recent 1-4 skid for the Sixers the problems have mostly resulted on the defensive side of the ball. They have allowed teams to score 111.6 points per game during this time and have been forcing very few turnovers. Overall, the team just looks sluggish. I feel like I was watching a pick-up game a few nights ago vs Toronto. It seems like everyone wants to play offense and their zero heart and effort shown on defense. Although the defense has slacked off, the Sixers offense was sizzling vs the Raptors on Wednesday night as they shot 51.8 percent from the floor during the loss. Henry Sims has played extremely well recently, accounting for 22 points vs Toronto, two points shy of a career high. The Sixers were solid on the offensive end all night but could never get any key stops on defense, resulting in the 125-114 loss.

Memphis, on the other hand, comes into tonight’s game off an impressive performance at home vs Miami, resulting in a 107-102 win over the Heat. Before that they suffered an ugly 20 point defeat to the western conference leading Spurs. In the win over Miami, Mike Conley led the way with 26 points, while Randolph accounted for 25 points, and Marc Gasol finished with 20 points. Both Randolph and Gasol had double-doubles, which allowed Memphis to out rebound Miami 41-27 and they outscored the Heat in the paint 60-30. The Win was their 12^th straight at home and a win tonight in the “Grindhouse” would match the longest single-season home winning streak in franchise history.

Sixers win if they can show some solid defense throughout the night and rebound the basketball. Memphis is a good offensive team and good on the boards so this task will certainly be tough.

Grizzlies win if they don’t take Philadelphia as a joke. Playing against the Sixers always has the potential to be a trap game but the Grizzlies are fighting hard for a playoff spot so they should come out taking the game seriously.

Game Notes:

MCW comes into tonight hot on offense averaging 19 Points on 52.5 percent shooting in his last 6 games.
On March 15^th, the Sixers were hammered 103-77 by the Griz in their only game vs each other this year.
Sixers come into tonight leading the league in steals averaging 9.2 per game.
Memphis only commits 12.7 turnovers a night, which is good for 3^rd best in the league.

STARTING LINEUPS

Sixers:

PG Michael Carter-Williams

SG James Anderson

SF Hollis Thompson

PF Thaddeus Young

C Henry Sims

Grizzlies:

PG Mike Conley

SG Courtney Lee

SF James Johnson

PF Zach Randolph