Grizzlies at Pistons
THE STORY: No Zach Randolph? No problem. Led by the inspired
play of Marc Gasol, Memphis is playing its best basketball. The
Grizzlies will try to extend their season-best winning streak to five
games when they visit the Detroit Pistons on Friday. The Grizzlies, 6-3
since Randolph was lost for year with a torn MCL, can earn back-to-back
road victories for the first time since Jan. 28-Feb. 2, 2010. That
figures to be a highly attainable feat against the Pistons, who are
having trouble getting wins anywhere. Detroit has dropped four in a row
at The Palace of Auburn Hills, one shy of their longest streak since the
2009-10 campaign.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Memphis), FS Detroit
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (7-6):
Gasol’s steady play has been the main reason the Grizzlies have stayed
afloat without Randolph. The Spanish center is playing at an All-Star
level, averaging 14.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks – third in
the league. He has 10-plus rebounds in all but two games this season.
Memphis moved above .500 for the first time with a 93-87 victory over
New Orleans on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have taken three in a row from
Detroit.
ABOUT THE PISTONS (3-12): The Pistons are mired
in a rough stretch, losing nine of the past 10 games. A bulk of the
blame falls on an inept offense that is averaging an NBA-worst 85.0
points. Detroit wasted a late lead as the club was outscored by 15
points in the fourth quarter of a 93-85 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday.
Tayshaun Prince, who had a season-high 29 points, continues to be a
bright spot as he is averaging 23.0 points and shooting 51.7 percent in
the past 10 contests.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Pistons
center Greg Monroe, averaging 16.1 points, has struggled to only 17
combined points on 7-of-20 shooting his last two outings.
2. Memphis guard O.J. Mayo has made 11 of his last 17 3-pointers.