[Cinco de Mayo]

Monday, December 1st, 2003 -- The FleetCenter -- 7:00EST

<center> @
(7-8) | (7-9)

vs.
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Memphis
Memphis stands at 7-8 after a spectacular double OT thriller over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Three Grizzlies set career bests in the game -- Pau Gasol's 37 points, Mike Miller's 13 assists, and Shane Battier's 12 rebounds. Gasol also had 5 blocks to go along with 11 rebounds to clearly raise the bar on his performance this season. And speaking of Battier, he will likely start tonight for the Grizz, shifting Miller to the PG spot to spell Jason Williams, who is sidelined with various injuries. Now, Memphis will travel to Boston for the second road game of their road trip to face the slumping Celtics.

Boston
Boston defeated Memphis at the Pyramid in the Halloween opener on a clutch shot from Mike James. James is coming off another impressive game, in which he canned 7 three-pointers in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Vin Baker is averaging his highest point total since the 99-00 season, and shot an impressive 10-14 from the floor in the last meeting. Paul Pierce has a 30 point performace and a triple-double in the last week, showing signs that he's gotten his game back on track. But on the other hand, who can forget the nine turnovers from the last contest?

Closing
If the Grizzlies are to be considered legitimate playoff contenders, we need to beat teams like Boston. Memphis has had little trouble against East teams this year, besides the opening day setback to this very team. Swift started the last game, and since then, Big Jake has been called to block the middle, which should help significantly. This would be a great time for Pau Gasol to carry over the momentum of his dominant weekend performance. If he does, and the Battier/Posey defense can shut down Pierce again, then we should be able to come out of the FleetCenter with the W.

[Dakota]

Am I right to assume that Mike Miller or Shane Battier will take over the point guard position by playing the other version called the "point forward"??

This game should not be as tough as everyone seems it will be. Memphis is a better team than the Celtics. Especially if Jiri Welsch is starting. Posey or Battier should make it a mission to just hammer him offensively wherever they are. Welsch is somewhat weak and I believe either the two of them can take him to school. They have to get out on his jump shot though.

[AL9045]

If we have the same consistent play we showed in last few quarters against Cleveland, we should be able to win.

Memphis: 95
Boston: 84

[MemphisX]

I just know we need this win. Got to get back to .500, got to revenge the home loss, and we need to get as many road victories in the East as possible. Road wins in the West are going to be a ***** for everyone.

[AL9045]

Anyone think they have a legit shot at the playoffs?

I think we're pretty well stocked in each position except for center.

Gasol is a great PF, Williams has matured into a great PG and Mike Miller is playing some good basketball in general.

[MemphisX]

We have no chance unless 1 or more superstars out West continue to get hurt. To many good teams and we are lacking the superstar presence. If we could get a legit superstar or Pau/Mike turn into one we have a chance.

[UKfan4Life]

Slightly OT:

Has anyone noticed that when JWill is in the starting five that Memphis has a total of 4 white starters? Are they the only team in the NBA to have that many white starters? Just thought I'd point that out.

[talula]

I hope Pau has another big game. He really played tough against Cleveland. I wonder if it was that little talk Jason Williams had with him during the Minnesota game.

And I want to see Battier and Miller on the court together for big minutes again tonight. I personally think Shane should be starting over Posey, at least until JP has surgery.


Did anyone else see Mike Miller on Rome today? They talked about the comeback over Cleveland and Tracy McGrady's situation in Orlando. Mike Miller went on to praise Jason Williams. He said that Jason is an extremely intelligent player, and thats why he and Hubie have such a good relationship. Mike also said that Hubie is the best coach he's ever had, and then Rome added that you couldn't find a better coach in the NBA right now than Hubie. And I agree.

[talula]

Originally posted by <b>UKfan4Life</b>!
Are they the only team in the NBA to have that many white starters?

Maybe Sacramento.

[UKfan4Life]

Originally posted by <b>talula</b>!


Maybe Sacramento.

What about Utah? I'm too lazy to look it up.

[Cinco de Mayo]

Originally posted by <b>AL9045</b>!
Anyone think they have a legit shot at the playoffs?

I think we're pretty well stocked in each position except for center.

Gasol is a great PF, Williams has matured into a great PG and Mike Miller is playing some good basketball in general.

I think that if Denver AND Utah fall flat on their faces, then we'll at least contend for the last spot. We're just as good as Seattle and Houston. I'll echo MemphisX, and just say that it may take a major injury to one or two of the fringe playoff teams to vault us into the picture.

The only two teams that I don't think have a chance are the Clippers and the Warriors, who have primarily played Eastern teams.

[AL9045]

So is Williams coming off the bench or is he a DNP for tonight?

[talula]

Originally posted by <b>AL9045</b>!
So is Williams coming off the bench or is he a DNP for tonight?

He is still out due to a "strained rib muscle."

[talula]

Half
Memphis 44
Boston 43


Celtics
Pierce 12 points
LaFrentz 4 rebounds
James 5 assists


Grizzlies
Posey 11 points
Wright 8 rebounds
Miller 5 assists

Box Score

[Cinco de Mayo]

Miller's about halfway to a triple-double, despite not even making a field goal in the first half.

4 points
4 rebounds
5 assists

Earl Watson has played 21 minutes so far...and that concerns me.