The Grizzlies play all four games this week at FedExForum, with a day off before every one of them. The Kings come in first, and the Thunder on November 6 are the visitor that will tell Memphis something real.
What does the week look like?
Four home games and no back-to-backs. Sacramento tonight, New Orleans on November 2, Indiana on November 4, and Oklahoma City on November 6 in an Emirates NBA Cup game. After sweeping a road trip, Memphis gets a day of rest between every game and sleeps in its own beds all week. The Kings show up on the third stop of a road swing. Rest and travel both favor the home side.
Are Jerome, Pippen and Post playing tonight?
All three were expected back October 31. Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. both went on the report October 30 with back issues, and Quinten Post has had a right ankle problem since October 29. Nobody has been ruled out. Jerome is the one that matters most. He dropped 31 in Sacramento on October 25, the last time these two teams met.
Can the Kings make this a game?
Not this shorthanded. Sacramento is 0-5 and lost 123-112 to Memphis at home six days ago. Keegan Murray, Dylan Cardwell, Maxime Raynaud and Ben Simmons are all out. What's left is Domantas Sabonis on the glass, with Zach LaVine and Darius Acuff Jr. carrying the scoring. The Athletic wrote this week about the Kings' hot seat. A team in that spot either plays desperate or folds.
Why is the Thunder game the one to circle?
It's the only opponent this week that wins more than it loses, and it counts in the Cup. Oklahoma City has owned this matchup, 66-35 all time, with four playoff meetings since 2011. New Orleans and Indiana are games a 5-0 team should bank. November 6 is the measuring stick: a team built on muscle and hustle against the club that has pushed Memphis around for years.
Is this start for real?
Memphis is first in the conference at 5-0, and the power rankings moved them from 24th to 2nd inside a week. Cameron Boozer put up an 18-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double at Portland. Four of the five wins came on the road. The record is earned. Whether the physical edge holds up against a contender is still open, and this week ends with that exact test.
When do the Grizzlies play the Thunder?
November 6 at FedExForum. It's an Emirates NBA Cup game and closes a four-game home stand.
Is Ty Jerome playing against the Kings?
Jerome has a back issue but was expected back October 31, and he has not been ruled out.
