But the Grizzlies actually have another chance to impress a national audience.
They play the Wizards on TNT tonight, getting optioned onto the prominent slot to to replace Knicks-Lakers.
You just won’t recognize this Memphis team.
No Marc Gasol. No Zach Randolph. No Tony Allen. No Mike Conley.
Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal:
Conley’s injury is legitimate. Though he returned to last night’s loss to the Celtics, he was limping afterward and wore a boot.
But for all the Grizzlies, this is their seventh game in 10 days. That’s a brutal stretch, and Joerger is probably making the right decision to rest players. The goal is succeeding in the playoffs, not on a Thursday in March just because the game is on TNT.
Pressure is on Jeff Green to carry Memphis to a win — and maybe Joerger to explain himself, but that shouldn’t be too difficult. Gregg Popovich already set a precedent to follow.