Grizzlies at Rockets
The Memphis Grizzlies shoot for their fifth consecutive victory Saturday when they take on the Rockets in Houston. Memphis began its streak by salvaging the finale of a three-game road trip in Utah last Saturday. The Southwest Division-leading Grizzlies went on to sweep a three-game homestand, posting wins over Chicago, Milwaukee and Dallas.
The Rockets trail the Grizzlies by 5 1/2 games in the Southwest. Houston enters the showdown on a hot streak, however, as it has won four of its last five contests. The Rockets are 10-5 at the Toyota Center but have won only one of five meetings with division rivals this season. Houston lost the first meeting between the teams on Nov. 9 at Memphis but has won 12 straight against the Grizzlies at home.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Memphis), Comcast Sports Net (Houston)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-6): Forward Rudy Gay led the way for Memphis offensively in Friday's victory over Dallas with 26 points. He had averaged 13 over his previous three games. Forward Zach Randolph scored 17 points and grabbed 13 rebounds en route to his league-leading 20th double-double of the season. Tony Allen guarded former teammate O.J. Mayo and held him to 10 points. "I studied him. I had maybe 15 minutes worth of film on him on his last three games," Allen said. "I watched that. I sat here quiet and didn't really talk to my teammates. I was just focused on doing the task at hand."
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (13-12): After posting a 125-103 victory over Philadelphia on Wednesday, Houston ranked second in the league with an average of 104.8 points. The Rockets were ninth last season at 98.1. Houston has been nearly automatic at home during the month of December over the last few years. Since 2008, it has posted a 27-4 mark at the Toyota Center in the final calendar month. The Rockets have yet to record a road win against a Western Conference opponent this season. They also have dropped 10 straight road games against division rivals.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Grizzlies held their opponents to an average of 77.8 points during their 3-0 homestand.
2. Houston has not lost to Memphis at home since April 15, 2006.
3. The Rockets have recorded nine 60-point halves this season, including a season-best 69-point second half against Philadelphia on Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 95, Rockets 91.