Nets at Grizz- Key to the Game

The Grizz haven't won at home in 5 weeks, and as weird as this is to say, the Nets have had success on the road as of late. Facing the Nets (7-55) would seem to be a good opportunity to snap that skid, but New Jersey has won three straight on the road. The Nets won 113-93 at New York on Saturday, and defeated Boston and Charlotte in their previous two road games. A loss Monday would give the Grizzlies their longest home slide since dropping a franchise-record 11 in a row from Feb. 16-March 31, 1996, when the team was based in Vancouver. All that I have written seems pretty negative, but let's remember that the Nets have only won 7 games and are the NBA's worst team.

The Grizz are favorites tonight and need every win they can get as the playoffs draw nearer. A loss tonight to the lowly Nets, and I don't see how the Grizz can bounce back. I think we win handily tonight, and here's how we get it done:

1.Rudy Gay vs Trenton Hassel- I follow the NBA every single night, and I have never heard of Trenton Hassel, the Nets' starting SF. Hassell is a defensive specialist who is 31 yrs old and losing a step. He's also very undersized to play SF and will very outmatched by Rudy Gay in almost every way. Rudy hasn't gone for 20 yet in March, but look for him to get above that threshold tonight.

2. Win the first quarter. Last game vs the Nets, the Grizzlies got off to a slow start and barely squeaked out a win. Tonight, the Grizz need to play well early, and put the Nets away. The Nets are used to losing, and tonight is no night to let them hang around and have their confidence build.

A couple side notes: Yi will not play for New Jersey tonight. Make sure you read Ron Tillery's interview of Heisley and Calkins' thoughts on Heisley in today's Commercial Appeal. Both articles are very insightful.

Grizz Straight!