Despite getting an easy win on Thursday night, Washington Wizards guard John Wall was not happy that the Memphis Grizzlies decided to rest their starters for the game.
ProBasketballTalk reports that the Grizzlies chose to rest forwards Tony Allen and Zach Randolph along with center Marc Gasol ahead of the game against the Wizards. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley also sat out with an ankle injury. According to the Washington Post, after the game Wall said he felt disrespected by the Grizzlies decision.
"We're a team that's on the rise and teams respect us now and then they don't respect us," Wall said. "We just wanted to come out and play basketball the right way and get the win no matter what."
The Wizards were able to route the Grizzlies in a 108-87 win despite Memphis scoring 33 points in the first quarter without its starters. Wall added that he was shocked to see the starters on the bench was able to look past it to get the win.
With the regular season almost at a close, more teams might consider letting their starters rest for the playoffs. The Wizards may get a chance to play the Grizzlies at full strength when they matchup in Memphis on April 4.