Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Memphis Kryptonite Edition

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Here is a picture of Scott Skiles from the last Bucks-Grizzlies game:

Nov 7, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Scott Skiles reacts during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Bradley Center. The Grizzlies beat the Bucks 108-90. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Any questions?

The Bucks match up terribly with the Grizzlies. Memphis has the bulk, low-post moves and interior passing of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. The Bucks do not do well with opponents of these skillsets. (See also: Clippers, Los Angeles). They have Tony Allen to defend whoever gets warm from the Brandon Jennings/Monta Ellis backcourt. The Grizzlies also have have the smooth stylings of Rudy Gay at small forward.

If that’s not enough, the Grizzlies have fresh legs after a night off, they have healthy roster with zero injured players, and they have the best defense in the league by the numbers.

Oh and by the way, this game is going to be nationally televised. Ooofh.

In other words, it’s good that the Bucks won last night.

Projected Lineups:

Grizzlies: Mike Conley, , Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol
Bucks: Brandon Jennings, Monta Ellis, Marquis Daniels, Luc Mbah a Moute, Larry Sanders

Injury Status:

Tobias Harris (right forearm laceration): out
Beno Udrih (right ankle sprain): out

Some Stats:

The Grizzlies are one of the few teams that force turnovers more often than the Bucks do.

						Offense Four Factors				Defense Four Factors
Rk	Team	SRS	ORtg	DRtg	Pace	eFG%	TOV%	ORB%	FT/FGA	eFG%	TOV%	DRB%	FT/FGA
4	Memphis Grizzlies	7.23	106.2	99.1	89.9	.473	14.0	32.2	.220	.469	15.9	72.2	.208
18	Milwaukee Bucks	-1.63	102.4	103.4	93.5	.467	12.8	27.6	.185	.482	15.5	71.4	.237
	League Average	0.00	105.0	105.0	91.8	.489	13.9	27.1	.210	.489	13.9	72.9	.210

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/19/2012.

They also crush the offensive glass and win the free-throw battle. The Bucks will need to do three things to have a shot at winning this game: protect the ball, snag defensive rebounds and push the pace.

If they do those three things and still fail to win? Then the Grizzlies really are the Bucks Kryptonite, even though the Bucks are nowhere near Supermen.