| |
|
NBA -- Grizzlies make strong playoffs push out West
By Jeremy Zuniga PhilBoxing.com Sun, 09 Mar 2014
CHICAGO --- If the NBA playoffs were to start today, the Memphis Grizzlies would not make the cut.
But since the postseason doesn't start until April 19, the Grizzlies have a lot of time to gain ground. And the way they're playing right now, chances are, they will make the Top 8 in the Western Conference.
With a 35-26 won-lost record, the Grizzlies are currently ranked No.9, just a nose behind No.8-ranked Dallas Mavericks (37-26) and the 36-25 Phoenix Suns, who sit in the No.7 spot. The Golden State Warriors are No.6 at 39-24.
Last night at the United Center, the Grizzlies flexed some of the muscle that makes them a scary match-up in the playoffs. They triumphed over Chicago, 85-77, beating the Bulls in their own game, which is rebounding and old-fashioned physical defense.
After missing a chunk of games with left knee issues, 7-foot center Marc Gasol has recaptured his old form. He anchored Memphis' interior defense while getting 18 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Conley was his usual steady self, clocking in with 12 markers and 7 dimes.
The Grizzlies have won 8 of their last 11 assignments and they remain one of the league's tough road warriors with a 17-12 slate.
"They outplayed us. They're a tough team. Gasol and Z-Bo (Randolph) are a handful don there. And I think Tony Allen really was the difference in the game. He just disrupted everything out there with his defense. Everyone stepped up. Mike Miller was hitting shots.
"We fought hard. You have t give credit where credit is due. They're a physical team and definitely were on us in the second half," Bulls forward Joakim Noah told reporters after Memphis held them to 31-of 75 from the field (41.3 percent) and 2-for-15 from 3-point country (15.4 percent).
The Grizzlies hope to take their momentum back home at the FedEx Forum in Memphis where host the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday and the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. (JZ)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jeremy Zuniga.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Open Workout: Abdullah Mason and Albert Bell Prepare For Saturday's All-Ohio World Title Showdown , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Dela Peña stops Delos Santos, now ready for Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026A Filipino Champion’s Last Fourth of July: A Visit to Oaks Ball Park By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Amazing Muay Thai WBC 2026 Festival Consolidates Its Global Success in Bangkok By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 02 Jul 2026IBA Bare Knuckle unveils star-studded fight card ahead of its first event in the USA , Thu, 02 Jul 2026Eman-Perez trilogy being set up in August By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Macababayao to face again Latonio after 4 years in Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Legendary Olympic Trainer Victor Pascual to be inducted into the Republica Dominicana Hall of Fame By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Abdullah Mason vs. Albert Bell Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels , Wed, 01 Jul 2026HISTORIC NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FOR IRISH SPORT AWAITS AS UNDERCARD FOR KATIE TAYLOR VS PILI AT CROKE PARK iS CONFIRMED , Wed, 01 Jul 2026Paradero to fight Cuarto for PBF Silver title on July 25 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026World Boxing Council Joins the Humanitarian Aid Relief for Earthquake Victims in Venezuela By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026LESTER MARTINEZ VS. LUKA PLANTIC ANNOUNCEMENT PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES , Wed, 01 Jul 2026KORONADAL SLUGFEST: I’m always ready – Roherstrey Jhon Yor By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 JUNE 2026: Paro UD Crocker for IBF Welter Title; Ennis Stops Zayas in 7 for WBA, WBO Welter Titles; Wins by Whittaker, Vargas and Tucker; Valenzuela KO2 De Los Santos By Eric Armit, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Rising Featherweight Star Jaycob "The Raging Bull" Ramos Signs Exclusive Management Agreement with Boxing VIP , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Clarion to leave on July 2 for WBC Youth title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo Stays Undefeated with Devastating Seventh-Round Knockout at Fist of Fury 11 , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World Boxing Council Unveils Special July 4th Commemorative Belt Honoring USA 250th Anniversary By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 30 Jun 202612-Year-Old Filipina Memory Prodigy Georgina Santos to Represent the Philippines in Two World Memory Championships By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 30 Jun 2026World championship mega-fight between Christian Mbilli and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez postponed to October , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Filipino Jonas Magpantay wins Indonesia; pockets $15,000, gains steam heading to Vietnam By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Ex-kickboxer to debut in MMA Slugfest By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 29 Jun 2026Deaño settles to a draw By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 28 Jun 2026Abdyrakhmanov defeats Kadiev, Kudryashov knocks out Yousefi at IBA Bare Knuckle 5 in Moscow , Sun, 28 Jun 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|