The Grizzlies try to extend their current win streak to a season-best four game tonight when they host the Charlotte Bobcats at FedExForum. The Bobcats are a disappointing 9-15 on the season, but have played essentially .500 since their 1-6 start. They come into town after a 97-91 home win against the Toronto Raptors last night. I’ll be tweeting during the game from @FlyerGrizBlog and will have a post-game notebook up a couple of hours after the final buzzer. Until then, three thoughts:
1. David Stern in Town: NBA commissioner David Stern is in town for tonight’s game. Wednesday night against the Bobcats in unusually cold weather? Should be a great crowd for the commish! Stern will be speaking at a “Chalk Talk” for season-ticket holders at 6 p.m. tonight and will be meeting the media, briefly, afterwards.
2. Stopping Stephen Jackson: The Bobcats primary scorer, Stephen Jackson, is one of the biggest two guards in the league at 6’8″ and is taking six three-pointers a game on 39% shooting, so he could pose a big problem for the Grizzlies. He has in the past, where he’s been one of O.J. Mayo’s toughest match-ups. Jackson averaged 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in two games against the Grizzlies last season. So it will be interesting to see what happens to the Grizzlies’ deep, ever-evolving two-guard rotation tonight. Xavier Henry will get the start, and as the biggest of the team’s three options at the position, he has a chance to play the most minutes if he’s effective. If he’s not, re-emerging defensive specialist Tony Allen could take over. Certainly, a Jackson-Allen match-up has a chance to be, um spirited. Where will this leave O.J. Mayo? With a 6’8″ Jackson averaging 36 minutes at the two spot for Charlotte and the athletically dominant Gerald Wallace manning small forward for 39 minutes a night, match-up problems might limit Mayo’s minutes — unless he lights it up when he does get the call.
