Grizzlies at Clippers
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Los Angeles for the second of three meetings with the struggling Clippers on Saturday. Los Angeles has dropped a season-high three straight overall while the Grizzlies, who are playing the first game of a back-to back, have lost consecutive games. The Clippers have won three straight against the Grizzlies, including a 98-91 victory on Jan. 26. The finale of the season series will be played on Apr. 9 in Memphis.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Memphis), FSN-PT (Los Angeles)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (25-20): The Grizzlies are winless on the first half of their four-game road trip and have lost five of seven overall. Guard Gilbert Arenas made his debut in a 97-93 loss to Portland on Thursday, scoring two points while dishing out three assists in 12 minutes. The 30-year-old averages 21.2 points for his career, but hasn’t been close to that over a full season since 2006-07 with the Washington Wizards. Forward Zach Randolph is averaging 15.7 points and 7.7 rebounds since returning to the lineup after missing 37 contests with an MCL injury.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (26-21): After starting the season 15-7, the Clippers have lost 14 of 25, not once winning more than consecutive games. Los Angeles begins a five-game homestand Saturday, where its 15-8 this campaign. Chris Broussard of ESPN has cited sources that insist coach Vinny Del Negro "has lost the team." He added that a majority of the Clippers want a coaching change, according to his sources. "We've got to find a way to put the fun back in it," forward Blake Griffin said Thursday. "The fun we had the first however many games, when we were just going out and playing.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Grizzlies are giving up 107.6 points per game in the last five contests after not allowing 100 in the previous eight games.
2. Clippers guard Mo Williams (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game.
3. Los Angeles has won nine of its last 12 at home vs. Memphis.