Kings at Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are mired in their second-longest losing streak of the season, a four-game slide that has weakened their hold on the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They'll try to snap the skid against one of the teams looking to track them down in the West when they host the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
A 129-125 loss at Sacramento out of the All-Star break kicked off an 0-4 road trip for Memphis, which allowed an average of 127.5 points in the four losses. "We are ready to get home and continue to get back to work," coach Taylor Jenkins told reporters after a 140-112 setback at Houston on Wednesday. "This is a great experience for our guys. It's a tough four-game stretch, but there's a lot of games to be played. Just keep our spirits up and keep getting better." The win over the Grizzlies ignited a three-game winning streak for the Kings but the run came to an end with a painful 112-108 loss at Oklahoma City on Thursday. Harrison Barnes scored 21 points to lead Sacramento, which led by 19 in the third quarter before the Thunder stormed back.
TIME: 8 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS California, FS Southeast
ABOUT THE KINGS (24-34): Point guard De'Aaron Fox missed Thursday's game due to lower abdominal tightness, although he indicated postgame that he hopes to be in the lineup against the Grizzlies. Veteran Cory Joseph started in Fox's place and handed out 11 assists, his second-best total this season. Big men Alex Len, Harry Giles III and Nemanja Bjelica combined for 48 points and 28 rebounds while shooting a collective 18-of-27 from the floor for Sacramento, which will play seven of its next eight at home after leaving Memphis.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (28-30): Dillon Brooks scored 22 points to lead Memphis on Wednesday, but the shooting guard is a woeful 28.3 percent from the floor over his last eight games. Center Jonas Valanciunas finished the loss with 16 points and 10 rebounds in just 23 minutes for his fourth double-double of the month. Forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) missed his second straight game and is still about 10 days away from being re-evaluated.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Grizzlies PG Ja Morant is 1-of-14 from 3-point range over his last six games.
2. Giles had 19 points - one shy of his career high - on 7-of-11 shooting in Thursday's loss.
3. Sacramento has won two of the three meetings this season, each of which was decided by five points or fewer.