Pelicans at Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies are off to 3-0 start for the first time in franchise history and look to set another team record when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Grizzlies have won 15 consecutive regular-season home games - including a 105-101 victory against Minnesota on Wednesday - matching the mark set in 2012. It won’t be an easy task against emerging star Anthony Davis and the talented Pelicans, who won twice at Memphis while taking three of four meetings in 2013-14.
It will be a battle inside as Memphis big men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined to average 44.4 points and 20.4 rebounds over the first three contests. The 6-10 Davis has compiled 57 points, 32 rebounds and 12 blocks as New Orleans split its first two games while 7-0 center Omer Asik is averaging a double-double in the early going. The Pelicans begin their road slate after going 12-29 away from home last season.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, SportSouth (Memphis)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (1-1): New Orleans beat Orlando in its opener, but turned the ball over seven times against Dallas while getting outscored 23-15 in the fourth quarter in a 109-104 loss Saturday. Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson are all averaging at least 16 points to go along with Davis and Asik (13.5 points, 13 rebounds). Eric Gordon, who is averaging 17.4 points in his career, is off to a rough start - making only 3-of-14 from the field.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (3-0): Gasol has scored at least 20 points in each of the first three games after accomplishing the feat in back-to-back contests just once in 2013-14. Randolph has contributed 19.7 points per game and Mike Conley 14, although the former Ohio State standout must rebound from a 3-of-14 shooting effort in the 71-69 victory over Charlotte on Saturday. Starting guard Courtney Lee, who suffered a concussion in the 97-89 win at Indiana on Friday, is out indefinitely.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans have grabbed 40 offensive rebounds - 15 by Davis - in their first two contests.
2. Memphis reserve SG Vince Carter is 26th all time in the NBA with 23,206 points and seventh in made 3-pointers with 1,813.
3. New Orleans has won six consecutive overtime games and had the NBA’s best record (5-0) in extra time a season ago.