Doubtful is a huge word for the Grizz today
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Injury Report:
Memphis: Ja Morant (Doubtful, Ankle), Desmond Bane (Doubtful, Toe), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Doubtful, Knee), Danny Green (Out, Knee), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Out, 2-way transfer), Zaire Willams (Out, Patellar Tendinitis)
Washington: Bradley Beal ( Questionable, Return to Concussion Protocol), Johnny Davis and Isaiah Todd (Out, G-Leauge Assignment), Taj Gibson (Out, Neck), Delon Wright ( Out, Hamstring), Jordan Schakel (Out, Two-Way Transfer)
Projected Starting Lineups:
Memphis: Tyus Jones, John Konchar, Dillon Brooks, Santi Aldama, Steven Adams
Washington: Monte Morris, Bradley Beal, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis
Have you ever been so hopeful about the word Doubtful?
Sure, Ja and Bane the two best players are listed as doubtful for soreness but as we all know it's probably just for rest, The hope this word is giving is that Trip J is listed as Doubtful. Before the season started people were concerned about how long JJJ would have to sit out. The uncertainty made analysts and fan alike dock the Grizzlies' chances in the Western Conference.
Instead of giving us a timeline closer to Christmas or 2023, JJJ is slated to return roughly a week before Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are 3rd in the west and 9-4. Now to some Keys of the game.
Brooks Vs Beal
Brooks has always relished this matchup Against Beal and the last time they played Beal was out so Brooks shall be looking forward to this one.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Brooks didn't have the Beal matchup last season due to injuries, but he has success against him in the 2020-2021 season. Per the NBA matchup Data, Beal shot 4-15 from the field in 13:25 matchup time and in 81.5 partial possessions with Brooks as the primary defender. His defensive performance garnered praise from Bradley Beal. The defensive expectations from Brooks should stay the same, and he'll bring the intensity from the jump.
At this point, what Dillon Brooks are we going to get tonight? Even more, shot attempts, will they be controlled as we've seen for a lot of the season? Or will they be more devastating toward chunking?
Photo By Joe Murphy/ NBAE via Getty Images
Time for the Other Guys
With Bane and Ja probably going to be out for the game, the other guys are going to have to step up big time. Tyus Jones has been playing more freely this year, primarily as a shot creator. In his lone game as the starting point guard this season, he notched 23 points (10-15 from the field 3-5 from the 3) and 10 assists. He should be a vocal point for this game if Bane and Ja are out. Also with them out will we see Kennedy Chandler MInutes? Clarke and Tillman are also going to have to step up big. Jake LaRavia and Aldama need to just keep letting it fly.
Prediction
On one hand, we are missing our top three players and the Wizards are coming off a back-to-back.
The world may never know.
I'm going to go with the fierceness and chaos.
Grizzlies 106 Wizards 102
Game MVP: Tyus Jones
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