Grizzlies Blazed the Warriors
Grizzlies played perfect basketball last night
By Ronald Tillery
November 22, 2004
Grizzlies-118
Warriors-68
It was "Throwback Night" in Golden State and Posey forgot his black and red shoes, but it didn't matter because he locked the Warriors down on defense.
When James Posey arrived to the Warriors arena, his shoes weren't there so he was stuck with his usual road shoes that he wears when the Grizzlies are in the road jerseys. "They looked pretty funny, but I think they gave the team some luck (winked)," Posey said. Maybe he was right because this was the first game that the Grizzlies we're able to completely dominate the team on defense and they held the Warriors under 70 pts. "It was an all out team effort and it showed how much this team wants to win. They never gave up after the drought they had and now we are back on track," Assistant coach Tony Barone Sr. said.
Back on track indeed, as the Warriors only had 2 players in double figures. Their best player, Jason Richardson was held to 9 pts on 4-17 shooting. "Artest showed everybody why we wanted him. He locked Richardson down perfectly. Richardson only scored 5 pts on Artest and the other 4 pts came from late in the 4th quarter when Artest was resting for tomorrow's game. He put on a great performance tonight," Coach Hubie Brown said.
Shane Battier did not play well against his former team
The game was tightly called in the 1st quarter. There was a total of 16 fouls called during the 1st quarter. 7 fouls came from the Grizzlies and 8 came from the Warriors. It favored the Grizzlies as they Warriors we're in the penalty earlier in the quarter. In the 2nd quarter, the Grizzlies started to pull away and they gained a 65-32 lead at halftime.
None of the former Grizzlie players we're able to contribute the way they wanted to as Earl Watson did not get the chance to play. Battier only scored 5 pts during the game and Lorenzen Wright had an off night. The Houston Rockets will host the Grizzlies tonight at the Toyota Center.
Team Stats
Warriors
Points-68
Bench Scoring-12
Field Goals-28/78
3-Point-5/36
Free Throws-7/12
Rebounds-29
Blocks-
Steals-3
Assists-12
Turnovers-9
Grizzlies
Points-118
Bench Scoring-38
Field Goals-46/81
3-Point-4/14
Free Throws-22/24
Rebounds-58
Blocks-3
Steals-7
Assists-28
Turnovers-7
Player Stats:
Warriors
N. Van Exel-25 pts, 5 asts
C. Robinson-11 pts, 8 rebs
J. Richardson-9 pts, 4-17 FG
A. Biedrins-8 pts, 11 rebs
Grizzlies
R. Artest-19 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts
P. Gasol-18 pts, 13 rebs, 2 blks
J. Posey-17 pts, 8 rebs
M. Miller-16 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts
J. Williams-15 pts, 10 asts, 2 stls
E. Dampier-11 pts, 14 rebs, 1 blk
A. Emmett-11 pts
S. Swift-7 pts, 5 rebs
C. Wilcox-4 pts, 5 rebs
-Ronald Tillery: 555-5555
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Memphis @ Houston
November 22, 7:30 PM
Grizzlies, 7-4; Rockets, 6-4.
Rivals Go At It
Since last seaosn, these two teams have been at each other throats
Tonight's game will be an old fashion western shootout as the Grizzlies take on their midwest rival, the Houston Rockets. Many people haven't heard too much about this rival, but last season there was a battle in each and every one of those 4 games that they played each other. Tempers flurred as former Grizzlie Lorenzen Wright and former Rocket Steve Francis almost exchanged blows.
This season should be even more intense. Both teams have made a series of moves that helped them in someway. Tracy McGrady was brought into help the Rockets get an all-around scoring threat on the team. Yao Ming hasn't been impressive this season as many people thought. The Rockets plan end up failing. The Rockets we're suppose to be Yao's team, but McGrady has had more touches and scores alot more. "It has been up and down this season. Coach hasn't liked what he has seen and he has talked to Tmac over and over about giving the ball to Yao more," Jim Jackson said.
McGrady leads the Rockets in scoring with 23.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2 spg. He has put up blazing numbers, but it also hurts Yao developing skills. Yao is 3rd on the team in scoring with 14.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 1.7 bpg. Many believe Yao was hurt by the lost off Kelvin Cato who did alot of work on the defensive end for the Rockets.
Key Matchup:
Ron Artest vs. Tracy McGrady
Last night, Artest was able to hold Jason Richardson to 5 pts, while he was guarding him. Artest has a tougher task tonight against McGrady. He said he was going to bring his "A" game tonight to guard Tmac. McGrady hasn't been torching opponents as he shoots 36% from the field.
Probable Starters:
Grizzlies
C-Erick Dampier- (1.9 BPG)
PF-Pau Gasol- (12.5 RPG)
SF-James Posey- (16 PPG)
SG-Ron Artest- (20.2 PPG)
PG-Jason Williams- (6.5 APG)
Rockets
C-Yao Ming- (9.1 RPG)
PF-Maurice Taylor- (16.1 PPG)
SF-Jim Jackson- (51% FG)
SG-Tracy McGrady- (23.1 PPG)
PG-Mark Jackson- (6.2 APG)
-Ronald Tillery: 555-5555