The Winter storm may be over in Memphis, but tough times for the Grizzlies may not stop until after the All-Star Break. The Grizzlies blew a 21 point lead last night, lost 2 games in a row for the first time since December, snapped their 11 game home win streak, and fell just out of the playoff picture with last night's disappointing loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
The loss wasted a 25 point, 16 rebound night from Marc Gasol and dropped the Grizzlies into a three-way tie with Houston and Oklahoma City for ninth place in the West. New Orleans moved into the eighth spot with the win. The difference in the Grizzlies past two losses was six spots in the playoff standings. Now the Grizzlies are sitting at the bottom of a very tight pile with the Lakers coming to FedExForum on Monday and the Grizzlies having to play at Cleveland the following day.
Tired Much?
It is starting to appear that the heavy minutes being played by the Grizzlies starting five is taking a toll. Last night the Grizzlies came out strong, looking like they would keep their win streak alive and just obliterate the Chris Paul-less Hornets, going up by as many as 21 before the half. But the team slowed considerably in the second half, and eventually the Hornets got the win in overtime. The All-Star Break can't come soon enough for this team.
On the Other Foot
The Grizzlies have had every kind of amazing win during their now-over home streak, and it seemed every element of those wins that had been bouncing Memphis' way bounced against them last night. The Hornets were not at full strength, they went down big early, and did everything right in the end.
22 – Blues?
Just before the all-star announcements were made official, Rudy Gay tweeted “a little depressed right now.” Memphis Forward Zach Randolph was named an All-Star reserve and second year players Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo were again selected to play in the Rookie Challenge (this time on the Sophomore team), but Rudy Gay was not selected. Since that tweet, Gay has not scored more than 10 points in a game, and his production has significantly dropped. The last time Gay scored 10 points or less in a game this season was January 16 against San Antonio, and has never done it two games in a row until now. Gay will need to increase his production back to where it was to stave off inevitable talk of “contract year play” and increased trade rumors.
You Had to Be There
NBA officiating is usually fairly terrible, but last night was its own breed of poop sandwich left on the court. Refs particularly went after Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, who fouled out with 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter. At least two of his fouls were completely bogus. Conley leaving the game was so problematic that Lionel Hollins switched to allow O.J. Mayo to run the point during overtime. It didn't work. Conley's increased level of play has gone relatively unnoticed in recent weeks, but his line last night (10 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl, 0 TO) and the team's drop-off in his absence had many in the crowd realizing his importance.
Backup Point Guards?
On the flip side, the last two teams to beat the Grizzlies have done it without their starting point guard. The Spurs beat Memphis behind a big game from George Hill, subbing for the injured Tony Parker, and last night Darren Collison played like an All-Star while filling in for injured starter Chris Paul. If the Grizzlies are looking for anything more than a first round playoff exit, they will need to add some offensive depth before the trade deadline.
Dunk of the Game
Well there was only one. The Grizzlies have been having problems in transition for the past two games, so the flying fast break slams we were so used to seeing from Rudy and O.J. have become short in supply. Marc Gasol somehow missed a dunk, but the best, and only, dunk of the game goes to the juice, Mr. O.J. Mayo, for a very pretty fast break slam off a steal with 6:34 left in the second quarter.
Dunk Count: 1 – Mayo
Twitter Watch
Rudy Gay
A little depressed right now
1:34 PM Jan 28th from UberTwitter
Can't sleep yall!
about 10 hours ago from UberTwitter
Hasheem Thabeet
Power Just Went Off!!! WTF???
1:10 AM Jan 30th from Twitterrific
Mane.. This Power Outage is terrible!! Now I can't go to sleep co'z my mom woke up and she can't be upstairs by herself!! Lol
1:27 AM Jan 30th from Twitterrific
DaMarre Carroll
Tough loss for us 2nite. Getting mentally prepared for Monday's game. What's good with u all?
about 11 hours ago from web
Sam Young
If you cook her I might have to help...
12:21 AM Jan 30th from Echofon
Final Shots
NBA Officiating is REALLY terrible. The Memphis alumni chapter of the University of Missouri was in the house to cheer on fellow Mizzou grad DaMarre Carroll. Former Grizzly James Posey missed the game to injury – Posey made the game winning shot to defeat the Grizzlies in New Orleans last week. The loss marked the first time the Grizzlies had lost two in a row since mid-December (Boston, Atlanta). The Grizzlies have not lost 3 in a row since early November, when they lost 7 in a row.
The Grizzlies face two division leaders, the Lakers at home on Monday and the Cavaliers on the road Tuesday, over the next two days. You can follow us live from games on twitter @douggillon and @cerrito for updates and insight.
Andy Skrzat contributed to this report.
