Who: Phoenix Suns (41-33) @ Memphis Grizzlies (25-49)
When: 5:00 pm Arizona Time
Where: FedExForum — Memphis, Tennessee
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: ESPN 620 / S: KSUN
The Suns are looking to stack the wins and secure home-court advantage for the play-in at this point. They are 2.5 games ahead of the Clippers with 8 games left to play. This is the first of a back-to-back for the Suns, with another one coming in Orlando tomorrow, so it’s important they take care of business
tonight.
The Clippers and Blazers face off tomorrow night in Los Angeles, with play-in seeding implications written all over that one.
Now, back to the opponent at hand. The Grizzlies are 2-8 in their last ten games, but secured a one-point win in their most recent game against the Bulls on Saturday night. Memphis is (and has been) without several key players for most of this season.
Phoenix has won two of its last three after snapping a five-game skid. Let’s make it three out of four after tonight.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
The Grizzlies’ injury report is as long as a CVS receipt.
Suns
- Grayson Allen – QUESTIONABLE (Knee)
- Haywood Highsmith – OUT (Knee)
- Dillon Brooks – OUT (Hand)
- Mark Williams – OUT (Foot)
- Amir Coffey – OUT (Ankle)
Grizzlies
- Santi Aldama – OUT (Knee)
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – OUT (Finger)
- Brandon Clarke – OUT (Calf)
- Walter Clayton Jr – QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)
- Zach Edey – OUT (Ankle)
- Taj Gibson – DOUBTFUL (Foot)
- Ty Jerome – OUT (Ankle)
- Ja Morant – OUT (Elbow)
- Scotty Pippen Jr. – OUT (Toe)
- DeJon Jarreau – QUESTIONABLE (Elbow)
What to Watch For
The Green Light.
It’s time for Jalen Green to carry the Suns’ offense. He is fresh off a 31-point outburst against the Jazz in just 22 minutes. I expect him to be full throttle again in this one, as he’s starting to find his groove and grow into his role alongside Devin Booker. How about another 30-point outburst in less than 25 minutes?
Let the young guys cook
Man Man. Sheer. Dunn. Oso. This is the perfect environment for heavy minutes to be allocated to the young guys. Hell, throw Koby Brea in there too. The Grizzlies’ roster is comprised of a lot of youthful energy, which is a nice way for me to say they have a lot of G Leaguers or inexperienced rookies. There is some raw talent on their squad, but the Suns are the better team from top to bottom.
Ideally, the starters build a double-digit lead early, and the young guys get some burn. Especially since it’s the first of a back-to-back set.
Don’t be a Coward
The Suns will need to contain Cedric Coward in this one, as he just dropped 25 points in the win over the Bulls on Saturday night. Phoenix selected Khaman Maluach over Coward (not that he was ever a legitimate option, just in general) on draft night, so those subplot battles are always fun to track. GG Jackson is another tough forward with size who crashes the glass. Rasheer Fleming and Ryan Dunn will likely play heavy minutes to match up with their youthful athleticism.
Key to a Suns Win
This one is simple. Play hard, and do what the Suns do, regardless of the opponent. Phoenix did exactly that in their win over the Jazz on Saturday night. If Phoenix does not take the Grizzlies lightly, they will walk out of Memphis with a win.
If they play with their food and get cute, it could wind up being a more stressful game than necessary. Start strong, finish strong. Get the starters some “rest” in the 4th quarter so we have a shot against Orlando tomorrow.
Devin Booker said it best. “Very similar to last game. We want to handle our business early. It’s no disrespect to them. Obviously, they’re undermanned. We’re on two different routes right now. We’ve got to take care of business with a game tomorrow.”
Prediction
The Suns should win this one comfortably.
Suns 124, Grizzlies 110
