Grind City GameDay: Grizzlies vs. Lakers
Michael WallaceBy Michael Wallace
Grind City MediaMEMPHIS – Troy Daniels knew at some point his shooting touch would come back.
“I’ve been doing this for too long to get too worried about it,” the Grizzlies’ shooting guard insists. “It was just a matter of not getting too low during the lows and waiting for my time. It was tough. But I know what I can do, and I know how I can help this team.”
Daniels’ help couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time for the Grizzlies (12-8), who will look for the fourth-year shooting specialist to continue his recent hot streak Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers visit FedExForum. After struggling throughout the preseason and well into the first full month of the schedule, Daniels is emerging as the prolific three-point shooting threat the Grizzlies envisioned when he signed a three-year, $10 million contract as a free agent in July.
With Memphis down to just nine available players this week because of injuries and absences, Daniels has scored 19 points off the bench each of the last two games and has shot 57.1 percent from the field overall and is 7-for-13 from three-point range in that stretch. Counting the six preseason games, Daniels didn’t make his first three-pointer in a Memphis uniform until last week’s overtime win in Philadelphia.
But both his confidence and opportunities have increased as injuries have decimated the Grizzlies’ perimeter depth. Earlier this season, in the midst of a prolonged slump, coach David Fizdale insisted that Daniels would eventually break out and “win a game for us one day” soon at some point. His shooting has provided a significant boost at a desperate time for the Grizzlies.
“It’s a confidence booster to see some shots go down, but it started with my teammates and Coach instilling confidence in me, just keeping me upbeat each and every day,” said Daniels, who is with his fourth team in as many seasons in the league. “You’ve got to keep the faith and know that whatever you do on the court – I mean, that’s just what I do. Stick with it as a professional, no matter what.”
Daniels is the first Grizzlies’ player to score at least 19 points off the bench in consecutive games this season, and this is the first time in his career that he’s had at least 16 in back-to-back games. Fizdale said he’s glad to see the work Daniels puts in daily in practices, shootarounds and individual workouts is finally coming to fruition when it matters most in games.
“Shooters don’t stay down forever,” Fizdale said. “We knew it was just a matter of time. Now, it’s our backs are so totally against the wall that I think he even felt that. It was like, ‘I have to get up out of this (slump) and step up for my teammates.’ We have a joke going right now between us, and I said, ‘What color green do I need to tell you your light is in order to let it fly?’ And he said, ‘Coach, money green.’”
HEALTH REPORT
For the third consecutive game, the injury-depleted Grizzlies will rely on the ‘Nasty Nine’ to get them through the night. Memphis remains down to just nine available players against the Lakers, with Mike Conley (back), Vince Carter (hip), James Ennis (calf), Chandler Parsons (knee), Brandan Wright (ankle) and Zach Randolph (bereavement) either sidelined or away from the team. The team announced Friday that Ennis will miss three more games and that Parsons will be reevaluated in a week. Wright remains out indefinitely; Randolph is expected back next week and Carter is day-to-day. Conley is out six weeks, but is already back in the training room and conditioning room with teammates.
NUMBERS WATCH
4. Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol is one of only four players this season averaging at least 1.5 made three-point shots and 1.5 blocks a game. As is the case with almost everything else, Gasol shrugs off the distinction as simply doing his job and supplying whatever the team needs. But the only other players reaching those numbers are Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis. Through his first 19 games this season, Gasol has attempted 67 threes, which already surpasses the total of 66 he shot overall in his first eight seasons. He’s also had six games this season with at least three blocks.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Andrew Harrison. Bank on it. There is certain to come a time during tonight’s game when Fizdale will flail his arms and angrily summon Harrison toward the bench during a break in action, then admonish the rookie point guard for something. And like clockwork, Fizdale will finish the rant by patting Harrison on the backside, or sharing a high-five or a fist bump – then send him right back into the fray. Harrison makes mistakes, but he makes up for them with relentless effort and a steely demeanor that keeps him stunningly even-keeled in games. He’s gaining trust through this firestorm stint as Conley’s temporary replacement as the starter. In the past two games, Harrison scored a career-high 21 points in a loss to Toronto and dished a career-high eight assists the next night in a win over Orlando. He’s leading all NBA rookies in minutes at 26.3 a game after spending all of last season in the NBA D-League. He’s growing.
GRIZZ-TAKE
Gasol on Toney Allen regaining his ‘First-Team’ defensive groove- That’s his job. That’s what he does. He’s really good at it. There’s a reason why he’s (been) so good at it so long. That’s what he does. I expect him to do that all the time. I’ve seen it so many times. That gives him confidence.
TONIGHT’S GIVEAWAY ITEM
Arrive early as the first 5,000 fans will receive a Grizz Girls poster presented by Horseshoe Casino-Hotel and Mercury Printing. Plus, the Grizz Girls will be available for autographs before tip-off.
Alexis Morgan takes you behind the scenes with the Grizz Girls for a look inside the glitz and grind of game day preparations.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.
Published on Dec 03, 2016
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