With the Orlando Magic sitting most of their starters, the level of competition wasn’t much better than in other recent Grizzlies games, but the focus and intensity to open was.
Zach Randolph moved back into the starting line-up and the Grizzlies used the first half as a tune-up for the playoffs, building a 26-point lead early in the third quarter before mostly coasting home. The 88-76 win brought the Grizzlies to 41-25 on the season and secured the #4 seed.
On Sunday, against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Grizzlies will open a playoff series at home for the first time in franchise history.
And it appears they’ll do so with, absent Darrell Arthur, a full complement of players — a rarity this season. Zach Randolph was energetic and productive (13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists on 6-12 shooting and 26 minutes). Gilbert Arenas and Quincy Pondexter played rotation minutes off the bench and looked mostly recovered for their recent injuries.
This team looks ready to go.
Check back mid-day tomorrow for a full preview of the first-round series with the Clippers.
UPDATE — The series schedule:
Game 1 — Sun. April 29th — 8:30 PM TNT
Game 2 — Wed. May 2nd — 8:30 PM TNT
Game 3 — Sat. May 5th — 3:30 PM ESPN
Game 4 — Mon. May 7th — TBD
Game 5 — *Wed. May 9th — TBD
Game 6 — *Fri. May 11th — TBD
Game 7 — *Sun. May 13th — TBD
*Photo by Larry Kuzniewski
