Trail_Blazer76
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<font color="red">Blazers: 18-24 (Won 1)</font> <font color="darkorange">Grizzlies: 25-18 (Won 8)</font>
<font color="red">By Trail_Blazer 76</font>
When: Wednesday, January 28th
Where: The Pyramid
Time: 8:00pm ET
Probable Starters
Damon Stoudamire/Jason Williams
Derek Anderson/Mike Miller
Darius Miles/James Posey
Zach Randolph/Pau Gasol
Rasheed Wallace/Lorenzen Wright
Key Matchup
Zach Randolph vs. Pau Gasol
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Two up-and-coming forwards will battle it out tonight. Interesting fact: they are both in their third year, and they have identical fg % (.476). Gasol is clearly more experienced (he's had significant minutes every year he's been in the league), but Randolph leads in almost every statistical category.
The keys for both players are simple. Randolph has a slight advantage because Pau has less stamina than him (he plays 7 fewer mpg). When Pau is out, Randolph should go in....to the paint. Expect the Blazers to feed him the ball on every possession when Pau is out. Defensively, Randolph has much to learn, and can really do nothing other than force Gasol to shoot jumpers.
<div align="left">For Pau, bring it hard to Randolph so that he won't be able to take advantage during those 7 minutes when Pau is out. Although it isn't fully developed his post game will eventually be elite, and their is no way for Randolph to defend against his hook shot. </div>
X-factors
Derek Anderson & Bonzi Wells
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Recently DA has not been his normal self shooting-wise. The Blazers will not win this game if he has a 0-10 or 2-10 shooting performance. Although he has historically been a three point specialist, he will need to start this game off by making some easy shots (lay-ups, etc). Any coach/player will tell you that this is the best way to increase confidence when your shot is not falling. Once he gets going, his outside shot will be more effective in crunch time.
<div align="left">Bonzi's homecoming was cancelled because of a snow storm. This is his second meeting against his old team, and he'll have something to prove. In the past he's been the type to settle for jumpers, but tonight he'll be taking it to the hole and embarrassing people. With Shane Battier injured he'll get more minutes, and the team will expect a big game out of him. </div>
<font color="red"> The Trail to Victory</font>
<div align="left">The Blazers need to contain Pau. Mouse needs to be a leader in this came because his opposition doesn't play D. Getting boards is the main key to the game, especially on the offensive end. If they can do this, and get second-chance shots, they just might squeak by with a W. </div>
<font color="#ff8c00">Clawing their way to the top</font>
I've never considered the Grizzlies to be a great three-point shooting team, but even without Battier, Miller and Williams can light it up. The Blazers have a horrible perimeter defense (Mouse is the weakest link). It may seem like a silly game plan, but I think that the trey will win this game for the Grizzlies. The only problem is that the Blazers have superior rebounders, so the Grizz better make sure that their shots fall.
***Trail_Blazer76's Prediction***
Struggling teams don't usually end the winning streaks of hot teams. Enjoy your revenge Bonzi.
Grizzlies by 5.
<font color="red">Blazers: 18-24 (Won 1)</font> <font color="darkorange">Grizzlies: 25-18 (Won 8)</font>
<font color="red">By Trail_Blazer 76</font>
When: Wednesday, January 28th
Where: The Pyramid
Time: 8:00pm ET
Probable Starters
Key Matchup
Zach Randolph vs. Pau Gasol
<div align="left">
Two up-and-coming forwards will battle it out tonight. Interesting fact: they are both in their third year, and they have identical fg % (.476). Gasol is clearly more experienced (he's had significant minutes every year he's been in the league), but Randolph leads in almost every statistical category.
The keys for both players are simple. Randolph has a slight advantage because Pau has less stamina than him (he plays 7 fewer mpg). When Pau is out, Randolph should go in....to the paint. Expect the Blazers to feed him the ball on every possession when Pau is out. Defensively, Randolph has much to learn, and can really do nothing other than force Gasol to shoot jumpers.
<div align="left">For Pau, bring it hard to Randolph so that he won't be able to take advantage during those 7 minutes when Pau is out. Although it isn't fully developed his post game will eventually be elite, and their is no way for Randolph to defend against his hook shot. </div>
X-factors
Derek Anderson & Bonzi Wells
<div align="left">
Recently DA has not been his normal self shooting-wise. The Blazers will not win this game if he has a 0-10 or 2-10 shooting performance. Although he has historically been a three point specialist, he will need to start this game off by making some easy shots (lay-ups, etc). Any coach/player will tell you that this is the best way to increase confidence when your shot is not falling. Once he gets going, his outside shot will be more effective in crunch time.
<div align="left">Bonzi's homecoming was cancelled because of a snow storm. This is his second meeting against his old team, and he'll have something to prove. In the past he's been the type to settle for jumpers, but tonight he'll be taking it to the hole and embarrassing people. With Shane Battier injured he'll get more minutes, and the team will expect a big game out of him. </div>
<div align="left">The Blazers need to contain Pau. Mouse needs to be a leader in this came because his opposition doesn't play D. Getting boards is the main key to the game, especially on the offensive end. If they can do this, and get second-chance shots, they just might squeak by with a W. </div>
I've never considered the Grizzlies to be a great three-point shooting team, but even without Battier, Miller and Williams can light it up. The Blazers have a horrible perimeter defense (Mouse is the weakest link). It may seem like a silly game plan, but I think that the trey will win this game for the Grizzlies. The only problem is that the Blazers have superior rebounders, so the Grizz better make sure that their shots fall.
***Trail_Blazer76's Prediction***
Struggling teams don't usually end the winning streaks of hot teams. Enjoy your revenge Bonzi.
Grizzlies by 5.
