After making a surprising run in the playoffs last year, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to take another step forward in the 2012-13 NBA season.
The team has started off on the road, winning on Friday against the Golden State Warriors after losing in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Memphis will return home against the Utah Jazz to a friendly FedExForum where the team has won 11 straight games dating back to last year.
Memphis has been aggressive on defense this season, forcing over 40 turnovers in two games.
"That's what we do. We had pressure on the ball, pressure on the wings and we were just taking them away from everything they wanted," coach Lionel Hollins said to the league's official website. "When you're trying to force a play, when there's a lot of pressure and also when the shot clock's against you, turnovers happen."
According to the Associated Press, Memphis "led the NBA in steals (9.6) and forced turnovers (17.1) last season."
Mike Conley has been solid for the Grizzlies this season, scoring 21 points and dishing seven assists on Friday against the Warriors. Zach Randolph has also been a force, averaging 15 rebounds.
The Utah Jazz has committed a high amount of turnovers this season, giving the advantage to the Grizzlies on Monday night. The team has gone 1-2 through three games and coming off of a 110-100 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
The team has started 0-2 on the road, but nearly came back on Saturday after falling behind bu 19 points in the third quarter.
"It's tough when you're on the road against a team like that and come back, but we did," said forward Paul Millsap, "We put ourselves within reach to win the game, but their veterans came through."
Millsap has been a bright spot for the Jazz, notching two double-doubles this season and leading the team in rebounding. The team has a lot of size to throw at the Grizzlies, including Al Jefferson and Derrick Favors.
The Jazz are ranked sixth in the NBA with 45 rebounds per game and are scoring 99 per game, good for 11th in the league.
Mo Williams has been solid for Utah after coming over from the Clippers in the off-season. He has averaged a team-high 22 points and six assists per game.
The Jazz will have a roster full of talent to deal with in the Grizzlies. According to the Associated Press, "Memphis' starting frontcourt of Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and center Marc Gasol is scoring a combined 57.0 points per game with 29.0 boards."
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