Memphis is a team in turmoil just like so many experts predicted they would be before the season began. The good news is that so far the problems have only been half as bad as expected. Allen Iverson launched a bomb shell on the team, the coaches and the fans with his attitude after his first game back from injury but Zach Randolph, the other player the experts expected to cause problems, has been a model citizen. Still the team is struggling and in ways everyone expected. Their defense is porous at best and their bench is terrible even with Iverson providing a spark. Memphis' offense has been impressive and their strength on the boards encouraging but until the team finds a way to stop their opponents it will all be for naught. 

Los Angeles has started the season with an impressive 4-1 record but the wins have not been as convincing as most people expected from the defending World Champions. Back to back OT wins against Oklahoma City and Houston seem to imply the Lakers may not be as tough as people expected this season. With Pau Gasol unable to play yet and Andrew Bynum sore from an elbow injury against Houston the Lakers could be even more short-handed than usual in this game. Not that this should make that big a difference with Ron Artest and Kobe Bryant both healthy and capable of elevating their games to the occasion. 

 
Point Guards: Mike Conley vs Derek Fisher

Too old versus too young in this battle of point guards under pressure for their starting jobs. Conley's struggles haven't been as bad as the media makes them out to be but when Allen Iverson is making the issue then the media is going to pick it up. Derek Fisher played 34 minutes against Houston Wednesday night and somehow managed to end the overtime game without a point, rebound or assist. He did get two steals however including one at the end of OT that saved the game for L. A. The pressure on Conley is only going to increase as AI continues to get closer and closer to full game NBA condition and despite the coach wanting Conley to start everyone knows he has to start producing at a higher level to keep that job. 

Advantage: Los Angeles

 
Shooting Guards: O J Mayo vs Kobe Bryant

O J Mayo has been playing well of late but still struggles on defense. That isn't a good thing to be struggling with when you play Kobe Bryant. Mayo has worked out with Kobe so he knows his game but knowing it and stopping it are two very different propositions. Kobe has taken on a greater scoring load with Gasol out and that has affected his shooting percentages (44% from the field and 23% from the arc) and his assists have dropped but this doesn't mean you want Kobe to shoot the ball more. Mayo has improved his game from his rookie season but that doesn't mean he's an all-star yet. Mayo has raised his level of play when pushed against better competition and it doesn't get any better than this.

Advantage: Los Angeles 

 
Small Forwards: Rudy Gay vs Ron Artest

Rudy Gay was red-hot in the 3rd quarter against the Warriors but his strong performance was wasted in the end. Rudy has improved his rebounding and passing as he enters restricted free agency this summer. This is exactly the type of game Rudy needs to get his named mentioned for serious free agent money this summer. Artest has grumbled about allowing his Larry Bird rights to be lost and it costing him tons of money. I don't know how true that is but he is probably just looking for ways to stay motivated. This matchup could be one to watch tonight as both players have something to prove. The big difference is that Rudy will struggle controlling the ball with Artest's tough defense. 

Advantage: Los Angeles  

  
Power Forwards: Zach Randolph vs Lamar Odom

Lamar Odom is one of the great enigmas in the game. He has point guard skills with the ball, can rebound and can score whenever he wants. The problem seems to be that he doesn't want to enough. Odom doesn't have the motor that corresponds with his talent to be an elite player and as such he floats around instead of impressing his will on the game. Randolph doesn't have that problem, especially this season. He has been tenacious on the offensive glass and has finally decided that his true strength lies in the paint not on the perimeter which has increased his efficiency as well. Randolph only got 9 shots against Golden State so he will be looking to make up for that in this game. 

Advantage: Memphis

 

Centers: Marc Gasol vs Andrew Bynum

Bynum has never had good luck against Memphis. Twice he has gone down with knee injuries playing the Grizzlies so don't be surprised if he doesn't push his luck with a bad elbow in this game. He's listed as doubtful in the game and honestly the Lakers probably don't need him in this game but they do in this matchup. Marc Gasol is playing some of the best basketball on the Grizzlies team right now and is one of the more effective offensive centers in the league right now. Where he is lacking is defending the paint against penetration. Luckily the Lakers don't have great penetrators outside of Kobe. If Bynum doesn't play look for Marc to have a huge game. If Bynum does play it should still be an advantage for Marc as Bynum won't be 100%. 

Advantage: Memphis

 

Benches: Memphis vs L. A. Lakers

Allen Iverson makes the Grizzlies bench adequate at best. Iverson still can score on anyone in the league and not having to face Fisher all the time should make him that much more difficult. However after Iverson Memphis is left with rookies and lousy players. Thabeet could get some PT in this game as the Lakers won't have a dominant scorer in the paint unless Pau comes back but he is doubtful in this game as well. Carroll is struggling like you would expect a late first round pick to do. The Lakers bench has Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic who all play their roles well but the secret weapn is Shannon Brown who has found a home in LA and is a dangerous scorer. Like Anthony Morrow Shannon will stretch defenses with his range and attack the basket when defenders over play him. 

Advantage: Los Angeles

Other Commentary: 

Forum Blue and Gold- A TrueHoop Network blog
Beyond the Arc
Grizzed by VanJulio
Straight Out of Vancouver
GrizzFans

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