Grizzlies Host Wizards Hoping For Conley Return
The Memphis Grizzlies hope Mike Conley can return to action Tuesday.
The Memphis Grizzlies host the Washington Wizards Tuesday in an interconference game featuring two teams looking to improve their stock ahead of the All-Star break.
Tip-off at FedExForum is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
After a slow start to the year, Memphis (27-23, 13-14 home) has heartily welcomed 2014, posting a 14-6 record since the calendar flipped over. But things haven’t gone quite so well over the past week.
With standout guard Mike Conley lost to a knee injury, the Grizzlies have dropped three of their last four games, including Sunday’s overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Conley, who leads the team with 18.0 points and 6.8 assists per game, sprained his ankle in a January 31 matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves and has been missing since. The Grizzlies have gone 2-3 in his absence.
Memphis is also without Tony Allen (foot) and Quincy Pondexter (foot), leaving the backcourt noticeably handicapped.
Prior to Conley’s injury, Memphis had won nine of 10, which came as part of a longer run of 11 wins in 12 games.
That stretch has been enough to see Dave Joerger’s side climb up into ninth-place in the Western Conference. With the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns all sitting three games ahead, the Grizzlies will look to build some momentum before the All-Star break.
The Grizzlies could receive a boost ahead of Tuesday’s game. Conley is reportedly ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery and could take to the hardwood as for the game against the Wizards. He’ll be a game-time decision.
Washington (25-25, 12-12 road) arrives in Memphis looking to move above .500. The Wizards experienced those dizzy heights last week when they moved to 24-23. Now they’ll hope to do so again on Tuesday.
The Wizards are 11-11 since January 1 and have won three of their last five, which included victories over the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers.
Randy Wittman’s side might be a little unaccustomed to the road though. 10 of Washington’s last 14 games have been played at the Verizon Center in D.C. The side was, perhaps predictably so, 2-2 in the four games played on the road.
Washington held on for a 93-84 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday to pick up a third win in five games. Now the Wizards will look to get the better of the Grizzlies.
Washington Wizards vs. Memphis Grizzlies odds for 02/11/2014
With Conley’s status unknown, Vegas has yet to release lines for this matchup. You’ll find the latest odds at the above link as soon as they’re unveiled.
With Conley, Memphis is likely to be inserted as the favorite. Without, Washington might be preferred.
The Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak against the Grizzlies the last time the sides met (Mar. 23, 2013), fending off a 47-point outburst from John Wall.
Memphis has won seven of its last 19 meetings with Washington, including the last five played at FedExForum.
Without a spread, it might be a bit presumptuous to pick a victor, but the Wizards look to be in the driving seat here.
Washington (26-23-1 ATS) has outperformed Memphis (22-27-1 ATS) against the spread this season, and is 16-8-0 ATS on the road. The Grizzlies are 9-17-1 ATS at home.
The two sides have gone 5-5-0 ATS in their last 10 head-to-head meetings.
Again, without the over/under, making a prediction is akin to jumping the gun, but there are some trends to keep in mind.
Memphis (22-28-0) has favored the under while Washington (28-22-0) has favored the over.
The total has gone under in four of the last six head-to-head meetings, but over in four of the last six the teams have played in The River City.
John Wall had a huge game his last time out against Memphis.
Washington will host Memphis at Verizon Center on March 3 in the second of two head-to-head meetings this season.
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