Nets at Grizzlies
Losing seems to be getting to the Memphis Grizzlies, who held a closed-door team meeting after their latest setback that reportedly included some scuffling between teammates. The Grizzlies will try to get on the same page and get back in the win column when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
Wednesday's 101-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons marked the team's 10th in 13 games and dropped Memphis one game below .500, and the postgame scuffle reportedly between Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi was serious enough that general manager Chris Wallace felt the need to issue fans an apology on Thursday, though the team downplayed the meeting afterwards. "We were openly sharing our thoughts and trying to fix the situation in getting back to being a really good basketball team together and doing the things we need to do in order to win games consistently," center Marc Gasol told reporters. The Nets are familiar with lengthy dry spells but recently turned a corner with wins in 10 of their last 13 after outlasting the New Orleans Pelicans 126-121 at home on Wednesday. "We still struggled a little," Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. "Our execution at the end was so-so. But I'm not sure two months ago that we win that game."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), FS Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE NETS (18-21): Brooklyn lost a close game while struggling down the stretch at New Orleans on Oct. 26 but showed off the team's growth by holding off a late surge on Wednesday. "I don't think anybody was thinking back directly to that game and the unfortunate ending," swingman Joe Harris told reporters. "I felt more confidence that we were going to win. There wasn't any doubt. That's the hump we’ve overcome from that point until now. We never really wavered." Harris finished with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, as one of seven scorers in double figures for the Nets.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-19): Memphis started out strong and was 12-5 after a win on Nov. 21 but has since gone 6-14 with an offense that is 29th in the NBA in scoring average (101.5 points), one reason for a reported trade for Chicago Bulls forward Justin Holiday on Thursday. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not emerge for more than 30 minutes after the latest setback and team meeting, and veterans Gasol and Mike Conley were the only players still around when reporters were finally let into the locker room. "Once you lose more than win, frustration builds up and you carry on those feelings into all the possession," Gasol told reporters. "It's more of looking into a mirror and trying to see what you can do better to solve the situation and why it's wrong. OK, what can I do to fix our defense? Or, what can I do to fix out offense? What can I do to help my teammates out and encourage them and help them accomplish their job?"
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Grizzlies reportedly sent G MarShon Brooks and G Wayne Selden to Chicago for Holiday.
2. Nets PG D'Angelo Russell matched a season high by handing out 13 assists on Wednesday.
3. Memphis earned a 131-125 overtime victory at Brooklyn on Nov. 30 behind 37 points and 10 assists from Conley.