Grizzlies at Nets
THE STORY: The New Jersey Nets will try and snap a six-game losing streak when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The Nets took both meetings between the clubs last season and are looking to win their third straight over the Grizzlies. Memphis is playing the second game of back-to-back and is coming off a 93-83 win against Houston on Tuesday. New Jersey is a dismal 3-10 at home and has dropped eight of its last nine overall.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Memphis), YES (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (15-14): Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph has been cleared to begin non-contact basketball drills and could return to the lineup in early March. Team doctors performed a third and final MRI on Randolph's right knee Monday morning. The results showed more healing as Randolph recovers from a torn right medial collateral ligament that he suffered in a game Jan. 1 against the Chicago Bulls. Randolph has been in the pool performing exercises in an attempt to strengthen the knee.
ABOUT THE NETS (8-21): Nets center Brook Lopez returned to practice Tuesday and is nearing a return to game action. It's been almost eight weeks since he had surgery to repair a broken foot on Dec. 23. Head coach Avery Johnson said Lopez “looked good” after practice. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has listed the Nets as one of his top three choices should he be moved before the trade deadline on Feb. 23. The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers are the other teams on Howard’s short list.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Shelden Williams is the only Net to appear in all 29 games this season.
2. The Grizzlies are undefeated when scoring 100 points in a game (5-0) and are the best in the NBA at holding opponents under 100 points (26 games).
3. Nets PG Deron Williams is the only player in the NBA to average at least 19 points, eight assists and three rebounds this season.