Grizzlies at Kings
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies open a grueling stretch of games by visiting the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Memphis plays nine of its next 11 games on the road as it attempts to solidify its position as a Western Conference playoff participant. The Grizzlies recently got forward Zach Randolph back from a knee injury to help the quest. Sacramento has registered back-to-back impressive victories over the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves and is 4-3 on a season-long nine-game homestand.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Grizzlies), CS Sacramento (Kings)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (25-18): Memphis is reportedly close to a deal to sign veteran guard Gilbert Arenas to beef up its backcourt depth. Arenas hasn’t played this season after being released by the Orlando Magic following a poor stint last season after being acquired from the Washington Wizards. Arenas worked out for the Grizzlies on Monday and the Grizzlies see him as an upgrade over reserve guards Jeremy Pargo and Josh Selby. The 30-year-old Arenas once was one of the top guards in the NBA.
ABOUT THE KINGS (16-29): Sacramento is 6-7 over its last 13 games and rookie point guard Isaiah Thomas has been a big reason for the improvement. Thomas is averaging 14.7 points over the last 17 games and has given the Kings a boost with his athleticism and speed. He also has been solid when it comes to taking care of the basketball with only 13 turnovers over the last seven contests. Thomas has been so good that Tyreke Evans has been moved to small forward. Evans (ankle) has missed the last two games but could return against Memphis.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Memphis has beaten Sacramento twice this season – by 17 and 33 points – and forward Rudy Gay scored 23 points in both victories.
2. Randolph is slated to start against the Kings after averaging 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds off the bench in his first games upon returning from a knee injury.
3. The Kings released forward J.J. Hickson on Monday.