Magic at Grizzlies
THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies can match the franchise mark for consecutive home victories when they close the regular season against the Orlando Magic on Thursday. Memphis has won 10 straight home games and can also clinch the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and homecourt advantage for the first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Orlando defeated the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday to snap a three-game game losing skid and clinch the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida (Orlando), SportSouth (Memphis)
ABOUT THE MAGIC (37-28): Guard J.J. Redick was in big-time sharpshooting mode in the victory over the Bobcats. Redick scored a career-high 31 points and matched a personal best with six 3-pointers. It was the eighth time in 10 games since moving into the starting lineup that Redick scored in double figures. Injuries have helped Redick secure more playing time and Jason Richardson has been playing plenty of small forward. Redick had connected on just five 3-pointers over the previous four games before hitting 6 of 10 against the Bobcats. Redick is averaging a career-best 11.6 points.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (40-25): Memphis, which has won five straight games, got a franchise-record eight steals from guard Tony Allen had in Monday’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The eight steals tie for the most in the NBA this season. Allen also had 13 points and eight rebounds in his best effort since missing five games with a mouth injury. “The mouth laceration was a big blow to me, but I’m a fighter and I fight back,” Allen said. “There are no excuses now. I’m ready to grind it out.” Allen is averaging 9.8 points and 1.8 steals per game.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split two previous meetings, each winning on its home court.
2. The Grizzlies also won 10 straight home games during the 2009-10 campaign.
3. Magic forward/center Glen Davis is expected to sit out after injuring an ankle against the Bobcats.