The Memphis Grizzlies are playing listlessly so far in this Game 7 against the Clippers, and the player on their roster widely known for playing hard all the time is Tony Allen. It would seem that this is the perfect game for coach Lionel Hollins to use Allen.
The Problem With Leaving Tony Allen In And Lionel Hollins’ Dilemma
There's only one problem: with Allen in the game, the Grizzlies are basically playing 4 on 5 on offense. Because of his poor shooting, Allen is garnering absolutely no attention from the Clippers' defense. Notice in this screenshot how Mo Williams is paying no attention to Allen on the weakside even before Rudy Gay throws the post entry pass to Marc Gasol.
With Williams cheating to the middle, Gasol has no room to operate and was forced to take a fadeaway jumper. Hollins is either going to have to taken Allen out or figure out some way to make the Clippers pay for not guarding him.
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