Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Preview
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The Grizzlies play their final home game of the 2007-08 season Saturday against the Timberwolves looking to earn a 3-1 edge in the season series. Here are a few storylines to watch in the game.
Fan Appreciation Night
OK, maybe this doesn’t have anything to do with what happens on the court, but Fan Appreciation Night is always a great night at FedExForum. For weeks now, fans have been voting on different elements of the game, including t-shirt giveaways, intro music, dance team routines, halftime act, and plenty more. View voting results.
The fun starts at 5 p.m. on the plaza, where fans are invited to enjoy music, food and beverage, and giveaways. Grizzlies Dance Team members will be on hand for photos and autographs. Then the first 5,000 fans to enter FedExForum will receive a free Grizzlies t-shirt courtesy of First Tennessee Bank featuring a design chosen by fans. In addition, select Grizzlies players will greet fans at the doors, while others will be available for pre-game autographs. Special giveaways will randomly be given away during the game and all fans are invited to shoot a free throw on the Grizzlies hardwood after the game. As in years past, Grizzlies players will once again give away their game-worn jerseys to randomly selected fans in a special post-game fan tribute on the court. All Terrace level tickets will be $10, select Club seats $50 and select Plaza Level tickets $25. Be sure to pick up some tickets and join in the fun.
Two teams looking ahead
The Grizzlies and Timberwolves are two teams in similar situations: they each boast numerous talented young players, both will be adding another lottery pick this summer, and both are building for the future.
For the Timberwolves, they have at least one piece in place they have no questions about: Al Jefferson. The main component of the Kevin Garnett trade has not disappointed this season, as he entered play Friday averaging 21.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, making him just one of four 20-10 players in the league this season. The others- Dwight Howard, Carlos Boozer and Antawn Jamison- were each All-Stars this year, and it shouldn’t be long before Jefferson joins them.
The backcourt boasts Rashad McCants and Randy Foye, two very similar players. The question there is whether Foye could become a long-term solution at the point, or if the two players will be forced to split minutes. Meanwhile, rookie Corey Brewer has had a difficult rookie season, but still has a very high ceiling for the future.
Big night for Mike?
When these teams met last weekend in Minnesota, Mike Miller gave the Timberwolves all kinds of fits. He hit eight three-pointers, led all scorers with a season-high tying 34 points, and added 10 rebounds and six assists. However, he isn’t a one-game wonder.
Miller’s managed double-doubles in all three meetings this season, notching 20 points and 10 rebounds in the previous game between these two teams on March 19. And back on December 1, the first time the Grizzlies and Timberwolves matched up, Miller had a season-high 14 rebounds to go along with his 18 points. Overall in the season series, he’s averaged 24.0 points per game, his highest mark this season against any Western Conference team, on 55.3% shooting from the field, and an incredible 56.5% from three-point range, to go along with 11.3 rebounds per game, also a season-high against a western opponent. Can he do it again tonight, or will Minnesota finally find a way to contain him?