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The Grizzlies' season has been a complete bust due to a number of factors, including guard Marcus Smart's injury and the suspension of star player Julius Randle that began with the regular season, as well as numerous other injuries that have sidelined star players Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane for significant portions of the campaign. The Grizzlies have had a terrible season, with only eight home victories going into their game against the Pistons on Friday night and already being eliminated from the playoffs. The Grizzlies are at 29th in 3-point shooting and are worst in the league in terms of scoring and field goal percentage. Additionally, they rank worst in the NBA in terms of fastbreak points and just 27th in terms of fewest turnovers per game.
The preceding game was won by the Philadelphia 76ers 109-105. They won their third straight game on the road at Kaseya Center against the Miami Heat. Tyrese Maxey set the bar high, scoring 37 points and dishing out 11 assists. He pulled down nine rebounds. two rebounds on offense and seven on defense.
The Memphis Grizzlies have won three straight after winning their most recent game, 108-90. This victory over the Detroit Pistons occurred at FedExForum, home. Maozinha Pereira scored 17, Trey Jemison scored 17, and Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 16.
The previous meeting between the two teams was won by the Grizzlies. winning 115-109 in the Wells Fargo Center against the Sixers. The Grizzlies have prevailed in six of the last ten meetings between the two clubs.
The resurging Philadelphia 76ers head to Memphis on Saturday to face the Grizzlies as the NBA regular season nears its end. Recently, the Sixers welcomed back Joel Embiid, the MVP of the 2022-23 season, to their lineup and have secured three consecutive victories. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies, with a record of 26-50 for the season, are destined for the NBA Draft Lottery. The tip-off for this interconference matchup on Saturday is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST.
The Philadelphia 76ers have suddenly emerged as one of the most formidable 8th-seeds in NBA history and may continue climbing in the standings. This week saw the return of the reigning MVP, Joel Embiid, to the lineup, instantly revitalizing the Sixers and placing them back in contention in the Eastern Conference. Since his comeback, the Sixers have triumphed in three successive games, including a 109-105 win against the Miami Heat in Miami on Thursday night, bringing them within half a game of the Heat for the 7th spot in the conference. Tyrese Maxey, benefiting notably from Embiid's presence on the court, scored 37 points, while Embiid contributed 29, tightening the competition in the lower ranks of the Eastern Conference playoff standings.
Embiid's return significantly alters the outlook for the Sixers, who previously appeared poised for, at best, an early exit in the playoffs following the play-in round. With Embiid back, the Sixers now possess an interior presence that can create space for shooters like Maxey, Tobias Harris, Kelly Oubre, and Buddy Hield on the perimeter, allowing them to secure better scoring opportunities.
Embiid is expected to bolster the Sixers' shooting accuracy, which has plummeted to 22nd in the NBA during his absence. Additionally, his defensive prowess, with a strong presence in the paint and on the boards, should enhance the team's performance on the defensive end. Currently, the Sixers rank 15th in field goal defense and 24th in total rebounds per game.
When they face the Sixers on Saturday night, the Memphis Grizzlies will be playing their second game of a back-to-back. Throughout this season, the Grizzlies have grappled with injuries and inconsistency, managing to win only eight games on their home court in 2023-24 after being one of the NBA's top home teams last season. On Friday night, the Grizzlies hosted the Detroit Pistons, aiming to improve their home record.
They accomplished this goal with a 108-90 victory over the team holding the league's worst record. Trey Jemison led the charge with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Maozinha Pereira also contributed 17 points, as the Grizzlies surged to a 19-point lead by halftime and maintained their advantage throughout the game. This victory marks the Grizzlies' first three-game winning streak since January.
