Grizzlies at Suns
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies will be looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they close out a four-game West Coast road swing against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. Memphis could have been staring at an 0-fer if not for a dramatic rally from a 20-point second-half deficit at Golden State in the opening game of the road trip. The Grizzlies, who had won seven straight games prior to the last two losses, battled back from a 16-point first-quarter deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night and trailed by only two with 79 seconds left. “We played hard but the Clippers made all the plays they needed down the stretch,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. Phoenix didn’t make any of the plays it needed to throughout Friday’s game in absorbing a 109-71 beating at the Portland Trail Blazers. The Suns scored a season-low point total in losing their third straight.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSAZ
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (10-8): Center Marc Gasol is having a solid all-around season. He had his third double-double in the past four games against the Clippers, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with six assists and two steals. He is averaging career highs in points (14.9), rebounds (10.3) and blocked shots (3.1). He’s doing it without bruising rebounders Zach Randolph (sidelined since Jan. 1) and Darrell Arthur, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
ABOUT THE SUNS (6-12): Many of the starters got extended rest in Friday’s blowout, which helped end center Marcin Gortat’s streak of double-doubles at nine straight games. Gortat still managed to snag 10 rebounds, giving him double-digit boards in 10 consecutive games. He is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game during that stretch. Phoenix has failed to surpass 97 points in its last seven games, averaging 87.4 in that span. Grant Hill is averaging 14.0 points in his last three.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Memphis has won the last two matchups, but the teams have split the last in Phoenix – both going to overtime.
2. Friday’s loss dropped the Suns to 0-11 when trailing at halftime.