By: Daniel Carp, Grizzlies.com Contributor
New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 42-35
Standings: Eighth in Western Conference, fifth in Southwest Division
Starting Five: PG Tyreke Evans, SG Eric Gordon, SF Quincy Pondexter, PF Anthony Davis, C Omer Asik
Head Coach: Monty Williams (fourth season with team)
Last time out
Fighting for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, the Pelicans picked up a statement win, handing Golden State just its 15th loss of the entire season and beating the Warriors 103-100 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Stephen Curry, who tied the game at 100 apiece with a step-back 3-pointer in the game's final minute, could not convert on a shot to tie the game from the right wing as the buzzer sounded.
Power forward Anthony Davis scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for New Orleans. None of Davis' points were bigger than the two free throws he hit with nine seconds remaining to put his team up by three points. The Pelicans trailed by 13 points at halftime but used a 36-points third-quarter scoring outburst to claw back into the contest. Curry had 25 points and nine assists for Golden State.
Last time versus Memphis
The Grizzlies and Pelicans have not matched up since March 7, when New Orleans battled back from 18 points down to escape with a 95-89 win on its home court. Defensive adjustments at halftime paid off for the Pelicans, who held the Grizzlies to just 30.8 percent shooting and 17 points in the third quarter. Shooting guard Eric Gordon helped put the game out of reach, knocking down a pair of free throws with 24.5 seconds to play. New Orleans clamped down on its next possession, forcing a miss from Memphis' Mike Conley to seal the victory.
Point guard Tyreke Evans scored a game-high 26 points—with 15 coming in the second half—and added seven assists. Davis recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans. Grizzlies small forward Jeff Green notched a team-high 20 points, but missed a crucial free throw down the stretch.
Key matchup
Keep an eye on the battle at the power forward spot in this contest. Davis has a knack for rising to the occasion in New Orleans' biggest games, but it will be the task of Memphis' Zach Randolph to limit the Pelicans big man. Randolph will have his hands full with Davis' athleticism, but can the Pelicans star handle Randolph's physicality? Look for the players to trade blows throughout this contest, and whoever lands the last punch could decide the ultimate outcome.
Game Day Live
Watch Grizzlies Radio Play-By-Play Announcer Eric Hasseltine, TV sideline reporter Rob Fischer and a special guest Kosta Koufos as they discuss everything you need to know before heading to FedExForum.
Misc. Notes
Playoff push
Wednesday's game has major playoff implications. New Orleans will enter play holding a half-game lead on Oklahoma City for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. Memphis is currently in the conference's third position and is a full game behind Houston for the Southwest Division lead and second seed.
Sputtering of late with a 5-5 record in their last 10, the Grizzlies could lose home court advantage with a weak finish in their final five games of the season. Memphis is just a half-game ahead of the surging San Antonio Spurs, who are winners of eight straight and currently hold the conference's sixth playoff spot.
One obscure stat
When playing the Grizzlies this year, New Orleans has not been afraid to get physical. The Pelicans average 22.7 fouls per game in their three matchups with Memphis this year but just 18.6 per game on the entire season.