ducks
11-19-2004, 08:55 AM
Memphis (3-5) at Sacramento (4-4)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 10:30 pm EST Fri Nov 19, 2004
TV: ESPN, CSNS Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
With their first road victory of the season out of the way, the Memphis Grizzlies have their sights set on winning in Sacramento for the first time in more than six years.
The Grizzlies look to snap a 12-game losing streak at Arco Arena when they visit the Kings.
Memphis split the 2003-04 season series with Sacramento but lost both visits to Arco, dropping it to 1-17 on the road against the Kings. The Grizzlies have not won in Sacramento since a 112-108 overtime victory on April 19, 1998.
The Grizzlies opened a four-game road trip by squandering a 21-point second-half lead in a 118-113 loss at Seattle on Sunday before grabbing another big lead and holding it for a 101-82 win over Portland on Wednesday.
Bonzi Wells scored 25 points against his former team and Pau Gasol added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 34 in improving to 1-3 away from home.
ADVERTISEMENT
``I told the guys, `We're not going to have an instant replay of the Seattle game. If we get down 20, we're going to try to get it to 30,'' Wells said.
``And that is what we did.''
Wells had a turbulent five-plus seasons in Portland before being traded to Memphis last December. He had a few run-ins with Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, one resulting in a two-game suspension, and was fined for making an obscene gesture toward a fan at the Rose Garden.
``It is always good to play against a team you used to play for,'' said Wells, who's had a thus-far pleasant tenure in Memphis. ``I just tried to do whatever it takes for my team to win. I got the shots going good.''
He went 11-for-18 from the field to help the Grizzlies shoot over 52 percent (39-for-72) and reach 100 points for the third time in four games after they averaged 86.7 during an 0-4 start.
Swingman James Posey missed his fifth straight game with a strained left foot. The Grizzlies hope to have him back for their home game against San Antonio on Monday. Before his injury, Posey had played in 179 straight games.
Memphis closes the trip against Golden State on Saturday.
The Kings opened the season 1-4 but have gone on to win three straight over Phoenix, Denver and Chicago.
Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points and Mike Bibby added 27 in a 113-106 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday night.
Bobby Jackson scored 20 points and Chris Webber had 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as Sacramento improved to 3-0 at home and won its 11th straight over Chicago since Michael Jordan's second retirement in 1998.
Since returning from their weeklong preseason trip to China, the Kings have not consistently played like the team that won 55 games last season, but they are 2-0 on a five-game homestand and play seven of the next 10 games at Arco.
``We're getting it all back together,'' Jackson said. ``With the injuries we've had, and the travel, it feels like it's already been a long season.''
STANDINGS (through Nov. 17): Grizzlies - 4th place, 3 1/2 GB, Southwest Division. Kings - 4th place, 2 GB, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Grizzlies - F Shane Battier, F Gasol, C Lorenzen Wright, G Wells, G Jason Williams. Kings - F Stojakovic, F Webber, C Brad Miller, G Doug Christie, G Bibby.
TEAM LEADERS: Grizzlies - Gasol, 18.4 ppg; Stromile Swift, 8.1 rpg; Williams, 5.1 apg. Kings - Stojakovic, 19.3 ppg; Webber, 10.3 rpg; Bibby, 6 apg.
2003-04 SEASON SERIES: 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Jan. 23; Grizzlies, 109-95. At Memphis, Tenn., Mike Miller scored a season-high 27 points and Gasol added 20 as the Grizzlies shot 51 percent from the field, including 9-of-14 from 3-point range.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Grizzlies - 1-3 on the road; Kings - 3-0 at home.
INJURIES: Grizzlies - G Antonio Burks (hip); G Andre Emmett (knee); F James Posey (strained foot). Kings - G Courtney Alexander (foot).
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 10:30 pm EST Fri Nov 19, 2004
TV: ESPN, CSNS Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
With their first road victory of the season out of the way, the Memphis Grizzlies have their sights set on winning in Sacramento for the first time in more than six years.
The Grizzlies look to snap a 12-game losing streak at Arco Arena when they visit the Kings.
Memphis split the 2003-04 season series with Sacramento but lost both visits to Arco, dropping it to 1-17 on the road against the Kings. The Grizzlies have not won in Sacramento since a 112-108 overtime victory on April 19, 1998.
The Grizzlies opened a four-game road trip by squandering a 21-point second-half lead in a 118-113 loss at Seattle on Sunday before grabbing another big lead and holding it for a 101-82 win over Portland on Wednesday.
Bonzi Wells scored 25 points against his former team and Pau Gasol added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who led by as many as 34 in improving to 1-3 away from home.
ADVERTISEMENT
``I told the guys, `We're not going to have an instant replay of the Seattle game. If we get down 20, we're going to try to get it to 30,'' Wells said.
``And that is what we did.''
Wells had a turbulent five-plus seasons in Portland before being traded to Memphis last December. He had a few run-ins with Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks, one resulting in a two-game suspension, and was fined for making an obscene gesture toward a fan at the Rose Garden.
``It is always good to play against a team you used to play for,'' said Wells, who's had a thus-far pleasant tenure in Memphis. ``I just tried to do whatever it takes for my team to win. I got the shots going good.''
He went 11-for-18 from the field to help the Grizzlies shoot over 52 percent (39-for-72) and reach 100 points for the third time in four games after they averaged 86.7 during an 0-4 start.
Swingman James Posey missed his fifth straight game with a strained left foot. The Grizzlies hope to have him back for their home game against San Antonio on Monday. Before his injury, Posey had played in 179 straight games.
Memphis closes the trip against Golden State on Saturday.
The Kings opened the season 1-4 but have gone on to win three straight over Phoenix, Denver and Chicago.
Peja Stojakovic scored 29 points and Mike Bibby added 27 in a 113-106 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday night.
Bobby Jackson scored 20 points and Chris Webber had 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as Sacramento improved to 3-0 at home and won its 11th straight over Chicago since Michael Jordan's second retirement in 1998.
Since returning from their weeklong preseason trip to China, the Kings have not consistently played like the team that won 55 games last season, but they are 2-0 on a five-game homestand and play seven of the next 10 games at Arco.
``We're getting it all back together,'' Jackson said. ``With the injuries we've had, and the travel, it feels like it's already been a long season.''
STANDINGS (through Nov. 17): Grizzlies - 4th place, 3 1/2 GB, Southwest Division. Kings - 4th place, 2 GB, Pacific Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Grizzlies - F Shane Battier, F Gasol, C Lorenzen Wright, G Wells, G Jason Williams. Kings - F Stojakovic, F Webber, C Brad Miller, G Doug Christie, G Bibby.
TEAM LEADERS: Grizzlies - Gasol, 18.4 ppg; Stromile Swift, 8.1 rpg; Williams, 5.1 apg. Kings - Stojakovic, 19.3 ppg; Webber, 10.3 rpg; Bibby, 6 apg.
2003-04 SEASON SERIES: 2-2.
LAST MEETING: Jan. 23; Grizzlies, 109-95. At Memphis, Tenn., Mike Miller scored a season-high 27 points and Gasol added 20 as the Grizzlies shot 51 percent from the field, including 9-of-14 from 3-point range.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Grizzlies - 1-3 on the road; Kings - 3-0 at home.
INJURIES: Grizzlies - G Antonio Burks (hip); G Andre Emmett (knee); F James Posey (strained foot). Kings - G Courtney Alexander (foot).