Presented By: 2010-01-21...
Hornets 113, Grizzlies 111...
Grizzlies-Hornets, Box...
NBA Roundup: Friday's action...
ROSTER REPORT 2010-01-20...
NOTES, QUOTES 2010-01-20...
GETTING INSIDE 2010-01-20...
ROSTER REPORT 2010-01-19...
NOTES, QUOTES 2010-01-19...
GETTING INSIDE 2010-01-19...
NBA players union suspends age...
Grizzlies sign Hamed Haddadi...
Web viewing of NBA games may s...
Hawks match offer and re-sign ...
Grizzlies sign Josh Smith to o...
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
Steve
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
 
 
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Add to Windows Live
News » 76ers-Grizzlies Preview


76ers-Grizzlies Preview


76ers-Grizzlies Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers have had most of this week to work on ending their slump, and perimeter defense should have been emphasized.

Slipping in the Eastern Conference standings, the 76ers return from a four-day break Saturday night as they look for their fifth consecutive victory over the lowly Memphis Grizzlies.

Philadelphia (29-30) has lost six of eight since the All-Star break and finds itself in seventh place in the East after challenging for the fourth seed less than a month ago.

"We are going to work on the little things that will put us up," Sixers coach Tony DiLeo said.

Shoring up Philadelphia's long-range defense must be near the top of DiLeo's agenda.

The Sixers have given up 10 3-pointers or more in four of their last five games. Opponents are shooting 44.9 percent (53-for-118) from beyond the arc against Philadelphia over that stretch.

In the Sixers' first 39 games, they allowed 10-plus 3-pointers on only six occasions. They're 5-15 when opponents shoot 40 percent or better from 3-point range.

Philadelphia had an especially tough time in its last contest, allowing New Orleans to make 62.5 percent (10-for-16) of its 3s in a 98-91 loss Monday night. That percentage tied a season worst for the Sixers.

"The main thing we need to do is take focus," said Philadelphia swingman Andre Iguodala, who had 30 points Monday and is averaging a team-high 18.0. "It'll be a couple of days before we have a game, so we mainly just need to get ourselves ready and prepare for the next game. We've been having tough losses, and I think we've had a learning experience in those close losses."

The Sixers will try to bounce back against a Grizzlies team they have beaten four straight times. Memphis (16-44) is shooting 30.7 percent (27-for-88) from beyond the arc during its skid against Philadelphia.

The Grizzlies, though, have made 51.9 percent of their attempts from long range in their last two games, including a 7-for-13 effort that helped them snap an eight-game losing streak with a 118-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Rookie center Marc Gasol came close to his first triple-double, posting 20 points, eight rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.

After two straight road games, Memphis will try to win for the first time in its last three at home.

"Going home with a win under our belts, it's a good opportunity to gain some confidence down the stretch," said Memphis forward Rudy Gay, who had a season-high 35 points.

A hip injury forced Gay to miss the Grizzlies' 91-87 loss in Philadelphia on Feb. 11.

Andre Miller led Philadelphia with 24 points and nine assists in that game. The veteran point guard is averaging 25.3 points and shooting 66.0 percent from the field in his last three games.


Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 6, 2009

 

 
Copyright © Grizzliesworld.com, Inc. All rights reserved 2012.