The Need For Grizzlies To Stay On Top Of Magic's Offensive Threats In Berlin

NBA world games are a bully opportunity to show nan world nan league's diversion prowess connected a neutral court, and nan Memphis Grizzlies will get their move connected Thursday successful Berlin against nan Orlando Magic. This is nan 14th clip nan convention has hosted a crippled successful Germany since 1984, per NBA Communications, but it is besides nan first regular-season outing.

Yet this will beryllium nary stroll successful nan Tiergarten for Memphis, moreover pinch nan Orlando Magic’s defense playing beneath modular for nan past 15 outings. The latter’s disposable players person much talent.

It’s 1 point to rustle a crippled successful beforehand of section supporters. But it’s different for nan squad to ungraded itself connected nan world stage. 

There is presumably a beardown desire to impress, particularly aft immoderate behind-the-scenes play involving Ja Morant and Vince Williams Jr. became nationalist connected Wednesday, pinch media present. Morant made nan travel but isn’t playing owed to a correct calf strain. The squad not letting that speech ruin nan vibes of this business travel would opportunity a batch astir its intelligence constitution astatine nan midway constituent of nan year. 

Here’s what you request to know.

Stay alert of nan threats

Franz Wagner is making his return aft spraining his ankle connected Dec. 7. Keep successful mind that he and Paolo Banchero are Orlando’s champion downhill options because of their size and strength. The Grizzlies will person to enactment disciplined covering nan anemic broadside erstwhile they commencement plowing into nan lane. 

On apical of that, Anthony Black tin do a small spot of everything arsenic a scorer, truthful he’ll request to spot different defenders, and they’ll request to get legally beingness pinch him, trying to break his concentration. Since Black is truthful athletic, defenders cannot lunge astatine him erstwhile he catches astatine nan arc because he'll descent past it.  

The Magic’s information broad has been Desmond Bane this season, and this is nan first clip nan Grizzlies will spot him connected his caller team. He’s ignitable successful a hurry and takes 4.5 unfastened to wide-open 3-pointers per game, truthful nan Grizzlies will person to play him closely. 

Don’t fto up connected nan shot movement 

The past point nan Grizzlies want to do is play into Orlando’s hands pinch anemic shot movement, giving their defenders nan licence to hunt. The Magic are nan champion squad successful nan convention astatine defending nan three-point line, giving up nan fewest wide-open attempts, successful portion because of their monolithic lineups. The squad will request a dependable fare of off-ball screens to loosen up their schemes, and Williams’ crisp passing. 

Additionally, getting retired successful modulation is ideal, but nan Grizzlies will person a amended changeable astatine it if they unit other misses and live-ball turnovers.  

Rebounding 

This crippled could beryllium decided successful nan trenches. Notably, nan Grizzlies person been superior rebounders and second-chance scorers successful nan 15 consecutive games Zach Edey has missed, but nan Magic should person some Wagner brothers present, truthful securing other possessions will beryllium harder. The connection needs to beryllium loud, truthful players don’t miss box-outs, and different above-standard crippled from Jaren Jackson Jr. would beryllium a large help.