Charlotte Hornets @ Memphis Grizzlies, February 10th
The last matchup to look out for this year with the schedule that has been released would be against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Hornets face Memphis in Charlotte on New Year’s Day January 1st, but this matchup in Memphis should be much more exciting.
First, the Grizzlies will be without both of their two young stars in Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. during that January 1st matchup. Morant suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain on Monday and Jaren Jackson Jr. is recovering from a torn meniscus.
Both of those guys should hopefully be ready to go by February 10th when the Hornets come to town. The Hornets and Grizzlies are tied for the 2nd youngest team in the NBA at an average age of 23.9 years with only the Timberwolves being younger at 23.6 years (Hispanosnba.com).
Both franchises are in a way in very similar situations. Both teams are small-market teams, and during the last few years have built a competitive roster through young pieces from the draft due to neither city being a huge free-agent destination.
Ja Morant against Terry Rozier should be a fun matchup to watch as PJ Washington will likely be matched up against the 6′ 11″ Jaren Jackson Jr. These are two very young teams that are hoping to figure things out and make the postseason this next year and should be some great basketball to watch.