End of the Road (Trip)

Tonight's game at Phoenix brings an end to the brutal four-game road trip the Grizzlies have endured over the past week.  While the games have been difficult and the two losses hard to swallow, a win tonight would earn the Grizzlies a very respectable split.

They have shown flashes of brilliance in each game on this trip, but have encountered their share of problems.  While the second quarter has been the scapegoat in the past, the Grizzlies have failed to close out games well on this trip.  They don't seem to have much trouble getting off to a good start, which is probably the most important factor in winning on the road.  It's the second half that has befuddled them.  They have looked like an entirely different team in the third quarter of games this year.  While they are young and can't be expected to win them all, they should be making progress each night toward becoming a consistent team on the road.

Tonight's daunting challenge includes dealing with Shaquille O'Neal in the low post, as well as the high-flying and athletic Amare Stoudemire (25.6 ppg) and physical Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa.  While O'Neal's best days are obviously in the rear-view mirror, his sheer size will be a nightmare for any Grizzly who has the assignment of trying to stop him.  I wouldn't be surprised to see the 'Hack-A-Shaq' strategy employed, especially since Gasol and Co. have a tendency to get into foul trouble anyway.  Someone will have to keep Stoudemire under control.  The Grizzlies can't afford to have him go off like the Kings' Kevin Martin did.

The Grizzlies have shown an ability to run, and even with a new coach in Phoenix, the Suns are averaging 102.7 ppg while allowing 98.1.  With those numbers as evidence it is safe to say the Grizzlies are in for another game like last night's. Phoenix shoots over 50 percent as a team, which is a dangerous number for Memphis.  They aren't the strongest rebounding team, though, so the Grizzlies will need to take advantage of every opportunity they have to limit second-chance points for the Suns while creating their own.

Offensively, the Grizzlies need good games from Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.  If the bench, particularly Kyle Lowry, can continue to perform as it has the past couple of games, that will be a major boost.  Marc Gasol will have to be physical and aggressive inside, and Darko Milicic will have to have a solid game.  Really, everyone needs to contribute, especially if one of the starters is struggling.