Warriors at Grizzlies
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies continue their drive for their first postseason berth in five years when they host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Memphis holds the eighth and final postseason slot in the Western Conference, leading Houston by two games while trailing seventh-place Portland by one game and New Orleans by two. The Grizzlies have hung tough despite the loss of second-leading scorer Rudy Gay for the season and have won four of five, including victories over Boston and San Antonio. Golden State was eliminated from postseason contention Sunday despite winning both games over the weekend.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSBA
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (41-33): In what could be a potential first-round playoff matchup, Memphis erased a five-point fourth-quarter deficit and went on to a 111-104 victory over visiting San Antonio on Sunday. Zach Randolph had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Tony Allen scored 23 points for the Grizzlies, who won for the 24th time in their last 30 home games. Randolph and Allen took over during crunch time, scoring 20 of Memphis' last 22 points. Five of the Grizzlies’ last eight opponents are below .500; the other three are against teams they are chasing – New Orleans twice and Portland once.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (32-43): Golden State had its modest two-game winning streak snapped in a 115-114 overtime loss at Oklahoma City on Tuesday. The Warriors didn’t go quietly, erasing a 14-point third-quarter deficit and charging back to force overtime on 3-pointers by Reggie Williams and Monta Ellis in the final 11.1 seconds. Stephen Curry was 5 of 8 from the arc en route to 35 points. David Lee contributed 24 points and 15 rebounds.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Grizzlies center Marc Gasol is averaging 12.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in his last three. ... As a team, Memphis has shot better than 50 percent from the floor for a franchise-record six straight games. ... Lee is averaging 26.0 points and 11.3 rebounds in his last three games. Curry was averaging 13.3 points in his last seven prior to Tuesday’s eruption.
KEY STATISTIC: The Grizzlies are 20-0 at home this season when leading at halftime.
SEASON SERIES: The Warriors and Grizzlies have split two meetings this season, with each team winning at home. Golden State notched a 115-109 victory on Nov. 3 and Memphis avenged it just over three weeks later with a 116-111 win on Nov. 26.
KEY INJURIES: GOLDEN STATE: C Andris Biedrins (ankle). MEMPHIS: F Sam Young (ankle); G Jason Williams (back).
LAST WORD: "To be a playoff team, you have to be tough. That’s requisite number one. I think we showed we are a tough team." – Grizzlies forward Shane Battier after beating the Spurs.