How The Memphites Look At The Celtics Matchup

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

That Grizzlies starting lineup is pretty good....

Memphios Commercial Appeal

Preview: Grizzlies vs. Celtics 
October 31, 2003 
The Pyramid, 7 p.m. 
TV, radio: WPXX-TV (50), 7 p.m.; WHBQ-AM (560), pregame 6 p.m. 
	
Records: Grizzlies 0-0; Boston 1-0. Celtics lead all-time series, 9-6. 
Injury report: Grizzlies - Dahntay Jones (left ankle sprain), Theron Smith (sore right knee) and Ryan Humphrey (concussion) are on the injured list. Celtics - Jumaine Jones (strained hamstring) is out. Brandon Hunter (sore right Achilles), Chris Mills (sore right Achilles) and Kendrick Perkins (sore knee) are on the injured list. 
KEY MATCHUP: 
James Posey vs. Paul Pierce 
Pierce is the starting shooting guard and Posey starts at small forward. But Posey is the Grizzlies' defensive stopper and will guard every opponent's explosive scorer. It's a tough assignment for Posey because Pierce has averaged 31 points in nine career games against the Griz. 
INSIDE THE CELTICS: 
Boston showcased the same old Pierce, and the new-and-improved Vin Baker in their 98-75 season opening win against the Miami Heat Wednesday night. Pierce made 8-of-15 shots and Baker made a triumphant return from alcoholism. The Celts are playing with a new team-oriented philosophy now that Antoine Walker's been traded to Dallas. Said Pierce: "We play as a unit. We don't have guys out there trying to force up shots. It shows that our shooting percentage was a lot higher. Our assist total was a lot higher. We really don't care who gets the credit on this ballclub. I mean, the egos are all out the window. This team is just all about winning." 
INSIDE THE GRIZZLIES: 
This is the season opener for the Grizzlies, who are trying to avoid those dismal starts of the past two seasons (0-8 and 0-13). Griz coach Hubie Brown is using his most athletic and balanced lineup by starting Stromile Swift at center. The Griz haven't publicly put a win total on their expectations. Backup center Lorenzen Wright would only say this: "We just want to sneak up on people. We want people to keep looking down on us, expect the old Grizzlies and expect to run over us. And when they think it's going to be an easy game, we can bite them in the (butt)." 
TEAM COMPARISONS 
Griz	Celtics	
FG percentage		
.452	.507	
Opp. percentage		
.460	.366	
FT percentage		
.739	.731	
3-point percentage		
.365	.313	
Opp. percentage		
.363	.417	
Rebounds		
41.6	40.0	
Opp. rebounds		
44.9	39.0	
Points for		
97.5	98.0	
Points against		
100.7	75.0	
PROBABLE STARTERS 
Grizzlies 
	P	Ht.	Key stat	
Jason Williams	G	6-1	8.3 apg	
Mike Miller	G	6-8	15.6 ppg	
James Posey	F	6-8	10.8 ppg	
Pau Gasol	F	7-0	19.0 ppg	
Stromile Swift	C	6-9	5.7 rpg	
Celtics 
	P	Ht.	Key stat	
Mike James	G	6-2	6.0 apg	
Paul Pierce	G	6-6	23.0 ppg	
Kedrick Brown	F	6-7	5.0 ppg	
Vin Baker	F	6-11	15.0 ppg	
Mark Blount	C	7-0	4.0 bpg