Grizzlies vs. Wizards: Scouting Report

By: Daniel Carp, Grizzlies.com Contributor

Record: 43-33
Standings: Fifth in Eastern Conference, second in Southeast Division
Starting Five: PG John Wall, SG Bradley Beal, SF Otto Porter, Jr., PF Drew Gooden, C Marcin Gortat
Head Coach: Randy Wittman (fourth season with team)

The Wizards dominated the first quarter and never looked back, downing the New York Knicks 101-87 Friday at the Verizon Center. Washington used a 19-0 first-quarter run to open up a 30-10 lead after one period of play. The Knicks shot just 4-for-19 from the floor in the first quarter and was outrebounded by the Wizards 18-5. Hoping to end its latest losing streak—which now stands at nine games—New York was able to cut its deficit to 59-49 early in the second half, but a 13-5 Wizards run put the game out of reach.

Point guard John Wall struggled from the field for Washington, shooting just 3-of-13 and scoring six points. But the All-Star made up for his lack of scoring by dishing out a career-high 18 assists. Marcin Gortat, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter, Jr., led the Wizards with 19, 18 and 17 points, respectively. Ricky Ledo scored a career-high 21 points off the bench for the Knicks.

The last time the Grizzlies and Wizards squared off was March 12, when Washington took advantage of a short-handed Memphis lineup and coasted to a 107-87 win. Playing the second half of back-to-back games, the Grizzlies competed without its three primary offensive weapons—Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley—and key defensive stopper Tony Allen.

Memphis' starting lineup, comprised of mostly reserves, came out energetic and opened up a 33-26 lead after one quarter. Then the Wizards—who after the game said they felt disrespected by the Grizzlies resting their starters against them—clamped down. Washington went on a 16-0 second-quarter run and outscored Memphis 34-14 in the period to seize momentum.

Gortat took advantage of Memphis sitting its two biggest presences in the post, finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds. Wall added 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Keep an eye on the battle in the paint between Gortat and Marc Gasol, who are two of the NBA's top European centers. Both players mix and match aspects of power and finesse within their respective games, which should make for an intriguing battle within Saturday's high-profile matchup between two playoff-bound teams. Both players scored 19 points in their respective team's wins last night but will have to deal with a short turnaround in this physical battle.

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Small forward Paul Pierce did not play Friday against the Knicks due to a toe injury. Pierce along with Nene will miss tonight’s game to rest. Garrett Temple will also sit out tonight’s contest with a strained right hamstring.

With six games remaining on its schedule, Washington has a relatively firm hold on the Eastern Conference's fifth seed. The Wizards lead sixth-place Milwaukee by five games but trail Central Division leader Chicago by three games. Barring any late season collapse, Saturday's game shouldn't have a significant effect on the team's playoff positioning.

For the Grizzlies, this couldn't be more different. Memphis enters Saturday's game tied in a dead heat with Houston for the Western Conference's second seed, with the Rockets currently holding the tiebreaker by mere percentage points. The Grizzlies rested their starters the last time they faced Washington, but even playing the second half of back-to-back games there is no room for rest in the race for the Southwest Division crown.

Saturday's game—which will take place while the Final Four is being played in Indianapolis—will feature alums from three of this year's four participant schools. Washington's John Wall played one year at Kentucky, where he was named SEC Player of the Year. Memphis' Zach Randolph played his one year of college basketball at Michigan State, and Jon Leuer was a four-year player and All-Big Ten selection for Bo Ryan at Wisconsin.

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Watch tonight's Battle Ballz Championship match as Doc Holliday (ABC Local 24 Memphis) takes on Jonathan May (3 Shades of Blue).