Jazz at Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies went 7-2 in nine games without star point guard Mike Conley in the lineup and promptly lost in his return from transverse process fractures in his lower back. The Grizzlies get a chance to grind their way back into the win column when the surging Utah Jazz visit on Sunday.
Conley was expected to miss at least six weeks after suffering a hard fall that left him with the fractures but returned earlier than anticipated and tried to fit himself back into the offense while managing eight points and six assists in 29 minutes. "You've just got to get back to it," coach David Fizdale told reporters. "I don't know if there's a formula to that. The bottom line is I've got to get back to the guys that are going to be playing the bulk of the minutes. However many minutes you can give me, that's how I'm working them into the game." The Jazz are familiar with life without their starting point guard with George Hill (toe) out the last eight games, and they are enjoying a similar run with wins in six of eight since the 30-year-old went down. Dante Exum is starting at point guard in place of Hill, but it's small forward Gordon Hayward leading the offense and trading big shots with shooting guard Rodney Hood.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, ROOT (Utah), FSN Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE JAZZ (17-10): Hood buried the game-winning 3-pointer in Friday's 103-100 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks while Hayward collected 13 points, nine rebounds and a team-high four assists. Hayward sat out Utah's lone loss in the last seven games - a 106-99 setback to NBA-best Golden State on Dec. 8 - but was solid in leading the offense the last three games since returning to the lineup while relying on Rudy Gobert to anchor the defense. Gobert collected 16 points and 10 rebounds on Friday to record his sixth straight double-double and is averaging 16.8 points on 78 percent shooting and 13.5 rebounds in that span.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-10): Memphis is still without its third max-contract player in Chandler Parsons (knee) but is slowly getting healthier with Conley back and playing decent minutes. The Grizzlies, who are known for their work on the defensive end and rank second in opponents scoring (97.3 points) behind the Jazz (95.4) in the Western Conference, were disappointed with their effort level in Friday's setback. "They outworked us, and for a team that says they 'grit and grind,' I don't think that should happen on our home court," guard Tony Allen told the team's website after the 96-92 setback to the Sacramento Kings. "There were a lot of loose balls, they shot them long and they were the first ones to the ball."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Conley (8,969) passed Pau Gasol (8,966) to become the Grizzlies' franchise leader in points scored.
2. Grizzlies SF James Ennis (calf) is not expected to play Sunday, but could return next week.
3. Memphis earned a 102-96 win at Utah on Nov. 14 behind 18 points and seven assists from Conley.