The Memphis Grizzlies look to win their 4th game in a row and overtake Houston in the Western Conference standings tonight. They will go up against a Charlotte team on their own three-game win streak in a matchup between LaMelo Ball and Ja Morant that you won’t want to miss.
In Los Angeles, the Clippers look to hold onto first place in the Pacific Division, while the incoming Boston Celtics seem to have finally fixed their January shooting woes in a matchup that should swing Joe Mazzulla and Boston’s way.
The Memphis Grizzlies are legit. 1st in PPR, 1st in pace, 2nd in rebounds, 2nd in assists, and 2nd to last in turnovers. Taylor Jenkins’ squad is currently in their best form of the season, winning three straight and hosting three sub .500 teams throughout the next four days.
Tonight, they will play a Charlotte team that has won three straight, including just defeating Kyrie Irving and Dallas at home. With these two red-hot teams matching up, I’m looking at Memphis wing Desmond Bane to serve as the game changer. Bane has scored 21+ points in each of his last five games, while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc in the month of January.
Playing opposite Miles Bridges, Josh Green, and Nick Smith Jr., there is a good chance for Bane to lead his team in scoring against a Charlotte team that won’t be able to keep up with the offensive pace of the Grizzlies.
Staying with this matchup between the Hornets and Grizzlies, there is a chance that this game gets out of hand early. With LaMelo Ball strutting into this game averaging over 26 PPG in the month of January, the elite Memphis defense will get after the Hornets superstar early and make him uncomfortable.
We saw rookie Jaylen Wells pick Stephen Curry up full court and pester him all game. There might be some similar efforts in this matchup as Memphis looks to extend their win streak and grab that 2nd seed from Houston during the upcoming weekend. Ball has never secured 45+ PRA against Memphis in their five matchups during his career.
The Los Angeles Clippers host Boston as the 30-13 Celtics look to win back-to-back games for the first time since January 3rd. With their recent shooting struggles, Boston finally found a way to break out from beyond the arc. How about 41.7% (20 of 48) from deep against the Golden State Warriors in a 125-85 victory to get back into the win column.
I’m expecting this win to set a new tone for Boston as they continue their away stretch against the Clippers tonight, and then the Lakers and Mavericks Thursday and Saturday before heading back home. Shooting below 35% from the 3-point line for the first time in a single month since December of 2022, this rollercoaster stretch for Mazzulla’s C’s should have come to a close.
Facing a Clippers team that is coming off a tough loss to Chicago, I’m looking for Boston’s pace and improved 3-point shooting to strike L.A. early in another big win.
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Jaden Vann is a Sport Management and Creative Writing student at Syracuse University. Originally from Los Angeles, he brings a deep passion and understanding of basketball and football to his articles while exploring the evolution of sports through some of his personal works.