Grizzlies vs. Bulls: A Family Affair
The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Chicago Bulls, Friday, December 19, 2014 at the FedExForum. The major storylines for tomorrow night’s game are the battle between the Gasol Brothers’ and the return of Derrick Rose.
Friday night will be a family reunion for the Gasol family. Pau started his Hall of Fame career with the Memphis Grizzlies. Pau brought his entire family with him to Memphis, his rookie season. His parents still live and work in the Memphis area. Marc attended high school in Memphis and he started his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies as well.
Both brothers are playing extremely well this season. Pau has found a home with the Chicago Bulls. Pau’s last two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers were very uncomfortable for the 6’11 power forward. Pau’s name was mention in trade talks for most of those last two seasons in LA. It is hard to perform at a high level, when your name is mention in trade talks. Marc is having a career year. Marc is currently the Grizzlies leading scorer (19.8 PPG). Marc is one of the front-runners for league MVP.
Derrick Rose was a part of the 2008 Memphis Tigers Final Four team. Derrick was the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft. The only Tiger to be pick number one overall in the draft. Tomorrow will be a homecoming for the former 2011 NBA MVP. Rose’s injury has caused him to miss the past two seasons, so this will be his first return to the Forum in two years. Rose is play well this season. Rose is averaging 16.8 PPG and 5.1 APG so far this season. He looks healthy and he is very confident, that he can return to an elite level this season.
Friday night will not be easy for Rose, because he is facing one of the best point guards in the world, Mike Conley. This game will have many interesting matchups. The Bulls have one the best frontcourts in the league, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. The Marc Gasol/Zach Randolph matchup against the Bulls frontcourt is must see TV. The second matchup is between the point guards, Mike Conley and Derrick Rose.
The Bulls enter tomorrow night’s contest with a record of 15-9 and Grizzlies post a record 21-4. The Grizzlies have the second best record in the NBA.