Game Preview: Kings At Grizzlies
(AP) -- A string of contests against some of the league's elite has the Memphis Grizzlies on the verge of matching their longest losing streak of the season.
They'll face lesser competition Monday night as they try to make it 10 straight home wins over Sacramento, although the Kings persevered through a physical contest to end a nine-game overall skid against the Grizzlies in their most recent meeting.
Memphis (50-24), which lost a season-high four straight from Dec. 19-26, has failed to score 90 points in its current run of three consecutive losses. The Grizzlies fell to Cleveland and Golden State by a combined 45 points before losing 103-89 in San Antonio on Sunday.
"Where we're trying to go isn't easy," Jeff Green said. "We're trying to make a title run. You have great teams in the Western Conference, you have great teams in this league. These last three games we've gotten the best of each team. ... We just have to stay positive and stay together."
Zach Randolph scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to break out of a two-game slump in which he had averaged 7.5 points and 3.0 rebounds. Despite the outcome, Memphis' performance was an encouraging one for coach Dave Joerger.
"Some of the best 48 minutes that we've played," Joerger told the Grizzlies' official website. "Offense looked good. ... I just thought we missed a lot of shots."
Memphis' poor play on the defensive end has been the more pressing issue. After allowing only 95.2 points per game through March 24 - second-best in the league - the Grizzlies have surrendered 107.0 per game in their last three. Two of those losses have featured the opposition shooting above 50 percent, something Memphis had allowed only four times previously.
Sacramento (26-46) nearly hit that mark on Feb. 25 against the Grizzlies, shooting 48.8 percent, and overcame Memphis' aggressive style to win 102-90. Randolph and DeMarcus Cousins exchanged shoves after Memphis' power forward elbowed Cousins in the face, and both coaches received technicals.
"Memphis does this to everybody, and they usually win," coach George Karl said following his team's victory. "We had a chance to lose the game and our guys just said, `No.'"
The Kings and Grizzlies had an especially memorable matchup in their first meeting this season. Cousins put Sacramento ahead by one with less than seven seconds remaining, but Memphis' Courtney Lee tipped in an inbounds pass from Vince Carter at the buzzer to give the Grizzlies a 111-110 win on Nov. 13.
Memphis overcame a 26-point deficit.
"It definitely is heartbreaking," Rudy Gay said following the November defeat. "That's the difference in a battle-tested playoff team and us."
Sacramento enters this matchup after its four-game winning streak ended with a 102-88 loss to New Orleans on Friday. Cousins had 39 points and 20 rebounds, but the Pelicans shot 51.2 percent from the field and outrebounded Sacramento 47-37.
"We just seemed to be a step behind," Karl said. "We struggled getting our offense in a flow tonight, but credit
Jason Thompson is the only King who was on the roster the last time Sacramento won in Memphis back in February 2009. The Grizzlies have won each of the last two meetings by one point.
Tony Allen missed Memphis' loss on Sunday with a left hamstring strain and is questionable against the Kings.
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