Hornets Gameday: vs. Memphis Grizzlies
7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: Fox Sports Southeast. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610.
Projected Starters
Hornets | Grizzlies | |||||
Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | Pos, Player | PPG | RPG | |
G K. Walker | 17.7 | 4.1 | G M. Conley | 15.0 | 2.7 | |
G N. Batum | 16.1 | 6.4 | G C. Lee | 9.9 | 2.6 | |
F P. Hairston | 5.3 | 2.5 | F M. Barnes | 8.7 | 4.9 | |
F M. Williams | 9.6 | 6.9 | F J. Green | 10.7 | 4.3 | |
C C. Zeller | 8.2 | 5.1 | C M. Gasol | 16.1 | 7.8 | |
Matchup to Watch
Marc Gasol vs. Cody Zeller/Al Jefferson: Gasol has evolved into one of the best centers in the NBA. The Hornets get back Jefferson after a five-game NBA suspension. He figures to come off the bench, at least initially.
Observations
▪ The Hornets blew out the Grizzlies at Memphis on Dec. 11, winning by 24 points. Shortly after that coach Dave Joerger made some lineup changes, moving Zach Randolph to the bench. Jeff Green is more like what power forwards are becoming in this NBA era.
▪ Matt Barnes, now a Grizzlies starter, came to Memphis via the Hornets. He was part of the trade that sent Lance Stephenson to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Hornets dealt Barnes for Luke Ridnour’s unguaranteed contract, a key trade chip in acquiring Jeremy Lamb from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tap-ins
▪ The Hornets have won just two of the past eight meetings with the Grizzlies.
▪ The Hornets did not practice Christmas Day.
Did you know?
In their first five games shifting to the smaller lineup, the Grizzlies averaged 6.6 3-pointers on 37 percent shooting.
Rick Bonnell
This story was originally published December 25, 2015 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Hornets Gameday: vs. Memphis Grizzlies."