Grizzlies at Kings
The Memphis Grizzlies look to record their third straight victory when they conclude a brief two-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. Memphis stunned Utah 92-84 on Monday in the opening game of the trek despite shooting just 36.9 percent from the field.
The Grizzlies had issues putting the ball in the basket and adjusted by increasing their defensive intensity as they held the Jazz to 35.4 percent shooting while forcing them to miss 12 of their first 13 fourth-quarter shots. "It says we've got a lot of grit on this team," point guard Mike Conley told reporters. "We've got a lot of guys who've got a lot to prove, play with a lot of energy. We play together. We stick together through adversity." Sacramento's defense has been atrocious, and Tuesday's 126-111 loss to Denver reduced their average points allowed to 129.5. The Kings are home for two contests after going 1-2 on a three-game road trip and then head back out on the road for four games.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (2-1): Marc Gasol is coming off a solid outing against the Jazz as he posted 18 points and 13 rebounds while outplaying Utah's Rudy Gobert, who scored seven of his 11 points after Memphis' center fouled out with 3:41 remaining. Gasol was bothered by a sore back that limited his effectiveness over the first two games - he averaged just 6.5 rebounds - but appeared much more mobile against Utah. "He's kind of the horse that pulls the plow," coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "Time and time again, when called upon, he goes out and does the job."
ABOUT THE KINGS (1-3): Second overall draft pick Marvin Bagley III had his best game as a pro on Tuesday, when he scored 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting while also recording nine rebounds and five blocked shots. The 19-year-old forward averaged 17.3 points and eight boards during the road trip and has the look of a player who soon will to be promoted to the starting lineup. Second-year point guard De'Aaron Fox will look to bounce back against Memphis after scoring just six points on 2-of-8 shooting against Denver to follow up a hot start during which he averaged 20.7 points over the first three games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Grizzlies posted two 18-point victories over the Kings last season, while Sacramento's win was by one point.
2. Kings backup SF Justin Jackson is averaging 14 points on 11-of-17 shooting over the last two games.
3. Conley scored a season-best 23 points despite going 6-for-20 from the field against the Jazz.