Jazz at Grizzlies
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies have won more than two consecutive games just once this season, but they have a chance to stretch their current winning streak to three when they host the road-challenged Utah Jazz. Memphis had a seven-game winning streak in January but has otherwise struggled to get on a roll. Utah has been abysmal on the road with a 2-7 mark and enters Sunday’s contest on a three-game skid after losing at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE JAZZ (13-12): Forward Paul Millsap has experienced an up-and-down season and is in the midst of another dry spell. Millsap has scored 10 or fewer points in two of Utah’s last three games and hasn’t reached 20 points in any of the last eight games. Prior to the drought, Millsap had six 20-point outings in eight games. Millsap is averaging 16.3 points this season, slightly down from last season’s career-high 17.3 average.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (14-13): Speedy guard Tony Allen returned from hip and knee injuries to play against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. Allen scored a season-best 21 points in a January loss to Utah. He also fuels the Memphis defense and has posted five steals three times this season. “He has a vibe about him,” teammate Mike Conley said. “When he gets on the court, you know you have got to step up your game. He requires so much out of you, especially defensively.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Utah defeated Memphis 94-85 on Jan. 6 at home behind 20 points from Al Jefferson.
2. Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay scored 21 points against Indiana for his 13th 20-point outing of the season.
3. The Jazz have lost five of six games and allowed more than 100 points in four of them.