This week we look at Memphis (20-25)  visiting Phoenix (25-21). 

FULL DISCLOSURE: Phoenix is my sneaky NLL crush. Memphis is my NBA team. Same but Different.

These teams have more similarities and differences than being my teams. Let's jump in and see.

Memphis started the season winning only 6 games from the first four weeks and Phoenix won only 8. Both looked to be out of the race early on with neither really finding their stride. 

Then something happened for both teams, the rookie GM in Memphis found the right CP and Playbook which helped them find a groove and win over 50% of their games from then on. While Phoenix found their savior - Monta - who lead their team into the top 8 with an eye on home court advantage, winning over 60% of their games since. 

Now with Colton Davis taking over from bacthemac in recent weeks the Grizz have had a bump in the road where they've lost more than they've won, and Phoenix lost 5 in a row recently, including an away game in Memphis.

They also look to use the same coach profiles, but different playbooks, with Memphis preferring the mid range big man game of the Blazers and Phoenix not surprisingly liking the gun from the PG and SG game of the Warriors.

Unfortunately that's where a lot of the similarities finish for the Grizzlies NLL fans. Phoenix has an NLL MVP candidate and a top 5 statistical leader in almost all the standard stats. Where Memphis players doesn't get a look in at any of the top 5 leaderboards. Phoenix is trying to make top 4, where Memphis is in a 3-way tie for 8th.

The Suns are rising, and the Grizz are bear-ly holding on. 

Now lets take a look at our starting line-ups starting with our....

Centers


Brolo and Kyle O'Quinn are two quality centers in the league, by no means are they at the top of the tree, but both are serviceable in the roles they are given. Brolo averages nearly a double-double in points and boards and adds in a block a game, where O'Quinn sits around 8 boards and 6 points a game in 8 minutes less court time than Brook. Lopez will get the edge over O'Quinn in the match up due to his length and ability to block shots. If Brolo wasnt as injury plagued and cost about 15 times more than O'Quinn I sure he would have been moved by now, as each of his recent GM's have been keen to move him and not wanted to get caught holding the hot potato when his next season ending injury occurs.

Power Forwards


Josh Smith vs David West are two NLL veterans with over a decade of experience each with nearly identical career averages in points and rebounds. This season JSmoove has found his groove and is scoring nearly 20 points a game. Looks like pennywise is a Josh whisperer as these scoring numbers are career highs for Josh. David West though is dominating the boards like a young man, running 3rd overall in defensive rebounds per game and 25th in overall rebounds. Due to Josh's scoring ability, I'd think he has the edge in the matchup.

Small Forward


Chandler Parsons vs Evan Fournier looks to be another almost identical pairing, here are the two stat lines:

• 47% FG, 39% 3FG, 5.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG, 14.4 PPG
• 49% FG, 35% 3FG, 5.1 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 15.9 PPG

There isnt much to split the two apart and I'm sure a majority of GMs in the league would be happy with either player sitting in their roster. The only thing that splits the two apart is the defense. With Parsons on the court the team is 2.5 pts better off and when he sits -2.6 worse off, leaving a net +/- of 5.1. With Fournier though the Griz are only a net +/- of 0.2. So due to that Chandler Parsons has the upper hand in this battle.

Shooting Guard

Jeremy Lamb vs Monta Ellis is not even close and barely worth discussing. Lamb has not been sheepish on the Grizzlies with good points averages of 18.6 PPG. But we are comparing good to great here. Monta has set the league on fire with his efficient scoring which places him second in the race to points champion and third in overall MVP race. He is also throwing in 3 boards, 3 dishes and a steal each game, so he's not just a one dimensional player. Monta has the lead by a landslide.

Point Guard


Jeff Teague vs Jason Terry looks to be the key match up that may determine who wins, with Rondo injured its up to Terry to control the ball and the pace of his team. Will his veteran leadership and know how be enough to overcome Teague who is having his best scoring year on record, improving from 14 PPG last year to 18 PPG. Teague is also averaging 1.5 steals per game which will put pressure on Terry to look after the rock. Teague has the edge here over Terry.