It is becoming more and more apparent that the positive impact of Lionel Hollins' system on the Grizzlies can indeed be immediate. The latest evidence is Monday's impressive 85-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets, who have been among the West's best the past few years.
Of course, the Hornets played the game without the services of stars Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler due to injury and David West due to a one-game suspension. Regardless of that "slack", the Grizzlies set a franchise record by holding the Hornets to 29.5 percent shooting, a mark identical to the dismal output of the Toronto Raptors in their previous matchup.
The difference in the game proved to be the third quarter, long a nemesis of the Grizzlies, which they won 24-19 on Monday.
The Grizzlies' defense is for real. It doesn't seem like this intensity and these results are isolated. They're not going away anytime soon. It may seem foolish for the Grizzlies to set their sights too high this season; even while they have been improving they haven't gained any ground in the division. The only thing that will help them get to the playoffs in the near future is a league realignment. The Southwest Division is just loaded year in and year out.
Still, the Grizzlies (15-36) should finish this season with more wins than they had last season. They have shown visible improvement under Hollins, and the right program appears to be in place now.
O.J. Mayo scored 22 points and picked up his first career double-double by collecting 16 rebounds. He will be participating in the inaugural All-Star H-O-R-S-E competition during All-Star Weekend, as well as the Rookie-Sophomore Game. He has been the most constant producer for the Grizzlies this season.
Keywords: Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Hornets, O.J. Mayo
