On paper, the Memphis Grizzlies are among the most interesting of squads.
While they rank 7th in the NBA in scoring and have three players averaging at least 20 points (O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph), they are 30th (that’d be last) in the NBA in points allowed (115.2) and 29th in both opponent field goal percentage (50.5 percent), three-point percentage and assists per game. Translation: they don’t play good defense.
There’s a reason, after all, that Memphis is 1-4 on the season.
Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw put it like this: the Grizzlies play offense downhill and defense up hill.
Yet that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous, particularly in the likely absence of starting center Andrew Bynum (elbow) and power forward Pau Gasol (hamstring), both of whom are listed as doubtful.
For more on the matchup, check out our (above) pregame video with Shaw.
