NBA: Going In Opposite Directions
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night, extending their current winning streak to 11 games, and getting to a 16-7 record which is second best in the Eastern Conference and fourth best in the league. They won the game 116-111, and Lebron James led the way, going for 34 points, including seven in the final minute and a half. He also totaled 12 assists and shot 13-22 from the field. Kevin Love and J.R. Smith also combined for 37 points and 16 rebounds, on 7-11 from three-point range.
On the other end of things, the Grizzlies are headed in the completely opposite direction. And it's unfortunate for a franchise that has been so consistent over the last 10 years, but it seems like they may be headed for disarray and a potential rebuild. After allowing Tony Allen and Zach Randolph to leave during free agency for the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, respectively, the Grit and Grind crew was on the way out. Yes, Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol are still there, but this team isn't what it was a couple years ago.
It seemed as though their fall came to a climax earlier this week when it was reported that head coach David Fizdale, was being fired after having multiple altercations and feuds with Gasol. A lot of Fizdale's former players, namely James and Dwyane Wade were confused by the firing. They played under him when he was an assistant coach for the Miami Heat, prior to getting the Memphis gig. Speaking of Gasol, though, he did drop 27 points and six rebounds in this game, but it wasn't enough to vault the Grizzlies to the win.
After the Cavs won this game, and kept their winning streak intact, it sent Memphis to their 11th consecutive loss after starting the season 7-4, and very early in the season, they were leading the league in winning percentage, prior to Conley Jr.'s injury. It remains to be seen where this team is going to go in the foreseeable future, but right now, Memphis is in the midst of a disaster and they need to get in turned around as soon as possible. They return to the court on Monday, at home against the 13-10 Minnesota Timberwolves.
As for Cleveland, it seems they have finally hit the stride that we were impatiently waiting for. After a slow start to the year, everyone was asking if they were too old or if trading Kyrie Irving was the wrong decision, and pretty much every other excuse you can think of. When in reality, they just needed some time to gel with brand new personnel around James. But they certainly look like the team that had reached the NBA Finals three straight years and could get better with Isaiah Thomas' return. Their next game is against the Chicago Bulls.
Photo Credit: Sporting News.
