Suns at Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies avoided a three-game losing streak and began their march back toward .500 with a 125-112 win at the Detroit Pistons on Friday and begin a two-game homestand on Sunday by hosting the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies climbed back into the postseason race with wins in eight of the last 10 games but are looking ahead to a stretch with 15 of 21 on the road beginning on Wednesday.
Memphis improved to 9-11 away from home with Friday's triumph, which came after losses to New Orleans and Boston and featured 29 points from forward Jaren Jackson Jr. "It's a great feeling, especially doing it on the road," Jackson told reporters of the win. "They're a team that plays well at home, so they're going to get the crowd involved. And for us to come out and throw the first punch, it was good, and we finished the game strong." Phoenix began its three-game road trip by winning at San Antonio for the first time since 2013 with a 103-99 triumph on Friday. "I'm just glad we won," Phoenix coach Monty Williams told reporters. "I'm glad that we were able to win a game and it wasn't plays. It wasn't necessarily scheme. It was just a lot of heart really. Intensity on both ends."
TIME: 6 p.m. ET. TV: FS Arizona, FS Southeast
ABOUT THE SUNS (19-26): Phoenix guard Devin Booker finished with 35 points and 10 assists before fouling out late on Friday and led with his intensity. "Just trying to put my will into the game, trying to be aggressive," Booker told reporters. "I never have in my mind a point I'm trying to get to. Just be aggressive and make plays for my teammates and score the ball when I have to." Booker scored 35 or more points in three of the last four games and scored 30 or more in 11 of the last 15 contests.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (21-24): Jackson did most of his damage in the first half on Friday before Ja Morant (16 points, 12 assists), Dillon Brooks (27 points) and Brandon Clarke (15 points, 11 rebounds) took their turns taking over. "That's how it is every game," Jackson told reporters. "Everybody's going to go in and make an impact whatever way they can. Play to their strengths, and that's when we are at our best, when everybody's doing what they're good at, playing with force and playing together." Jackson went 10-of-14 from the floor in Friday's win after shooting 38.6 percent from the floor over the previous four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Grizzlies SG Grayson Allen (hip soreness) left Friday's game and is day-to-day.
2. Suns C Aron Baynes (hip) sat out the last three contests and is questionable for Sunday.
3. Memphis took the first two meetings this season - both in Phoenix - by seven points each.