Regardless of how Alvin Gentry chooses to rearrange his starting backcourt Monday vs. Memphis, there figures to be a relatively new name in the lineup, because among the nine players available for New Orleans, only four have started more than three times in 2016-17. With Jrue Holiday and E'Twaun Moore sidelined against the Grizzlies, two guard options are Langston Galloway and Buddy Hield, who've started a combined one game to date.
For Memphis, combo guard Toney Douglas was signed to a contract today and figures to be on the floor immediately, according to head coach David Fizdale. The first-year Grizzlies sideline boss said that he has confidence in Douglas to be ready to play tonight, due to the former New Orleans player's previous NBA experience. Memphis (13-8) has been forced to rely heavily on rookie point guards Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin, after starter Mike Conley was sidelined by a lower back injury.
Other pregame notes from the Smoothie King Center:
A matter-of-fact Gentry on New Orleans (7-14) dealing with additional key injuries: “Over the last year and a half, this is kind of the way it's been. You can't do anything but plug in who's there and tell them they have step up their game and play a little bit better. Then you move on. We've got enough guys that we can put five out there, and if we're playing at home, I expect to be able to go out and be able to win games.” …
Gentry on Holiday's turf toe injury: “It's not anything serious, but it's one of those nagging things, where it's tough for a basketball player, with the running and change of direction that you do. It's a tough injury to have.” Moore has been dealing with his toe injury since a Nov. 8 game at Sacramento. …
Anthony Davis (foot) is expected to play. Gentry on Davis' outstanding performance this season: “He's been phenomenal. All he has to do is keeping playing the way he's been playing. I can't ask him to do any more. When you look at what he does for our team and the numbers he puts up, as well as the blocks, the sad thing is he's very much having an MVP season. Obviously when your record is where we are, you're not going to get much consideration for that.”
