MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Perhaps the Memphis Grizzlies are
the perfect opponent for the Cleveland Cavaliers to get center
Zydrunas Ilgauskas on track.
The Cavaliers attempt to rebound from a pounding at San Antonio
on Saturday when they visit the Grizzlies in the first of two
meetings between the teams this season.
Cleveland shot just 34 percent (28-of-82) from the floor,
including only 4-of-19 from the arc, in Friday's humiliating
102-76 loss to San Antonio. LeBron James scored a team-high 20
points, but managed just 10 after the first quarter.
The Cavaliers' offseason focus was on the perimeter as the team
signed veterans Donyell Marshall, Damon Jones and Larry Hughes.
But it is their All-Star center who the Cavs must get into a
rhythm offensively.
Ilgauskas had only nine points on 4-of-11 shooting Friday and is
averaging just 10.5 points and shooting under 43 percent so far
this season.
Meanwhile, Memphis has shown already that it has issues with
interior defense. The Grizzlies have been outscored by a
stunning 94-54 margin in the paint so far this season.
Memphis is coming off a 94-85 triumph vs. Orlando in which it
got 25 points from newcomer Eddie Jones and 22 from Pau Gasol.
Damon Stoudamire added 17 points, five rebounds and five assists
for the Grizzlies, who lost both meetings vs. the Cavaliers
last season.
