Matt Barnes will wait to settle score with Derek Fisher

The Memphis Grizzlies will be hosting the New York Knicks on Saturday night with the biggest storyline being about Matt Barnes and Derek Fisher.

One of the most interesting stories of the offseason was the love triangle between Barnes, his ex-wife, and Derek Fisher. The consequences of the altercation between Barnes and Fisher resulted in Barnes being suspended for two games.

Fisher and Barnes will be on the same court for the first time since the incident on Saturday, but don’t expect any fireworks in Memphis.

“I don’t talk to snakes,” Barnes told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

"“I never wish for another man’s downfall. I always knew the NBA would come down hard on me, so I wasn’t surprised… Cause I’m the bad guy.”“I know I got to keep my mouth shut because then he’ll run and tell,” Barnes said. “So we’re focused on playing that team (the Knicks). And when I’m retired, him and I will cross paths again.”"

Barnes is playing in his first season in Memphis and is having a great year despite the offseason of drama. This season, Barnes is averaging 9.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

Coming into the showdown against Fisher and Knicks, Barnes is playing some of his best basketball of the season. In his last four games, Barnes has averaged 14.5 points per game, as he has been red hot from beyond the arc with a 52.6% shooting percentage.

Even though we likely won’t see anything between Fisher and Barnes, it should be a very entertaining game in Memphis if Carmelo Anthony is able to play. Anthony recently sprained his ankle on a referee in the Knicks’ win against the Boston Celtics, which has already cost him to miss the Knicks’ most recent game against the Brooklyn Nets.

We may see a very focused Barnes on Saturday night as the combination of him being red hot shooting the ball with his desire to burn Fisher could be a recipe for one of his best games of the season.