Memphis Grizzlies vs Houston Rockets
When: 8:00 PM  ET, Friday, January 13, 2017
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), ROOT (Houston)
PREDICTION: Rockets 115, Grizzlies 108

HOUSTON — The Rockets recorded a pair of unappealing firsts on Wednesday night in Minnesota, and when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Toyota Center, they’ll look to avoid another.

With their loss to the Timberwolves, the Rockets (31-10) fell on the second night of a back-to-back for the first time in 10 occurrences. Additionally, the Timberwolves were the first team with a losing record to defeat the shorthanded Rockets this season. The setback also set the table for Houston to drop consecutive games for the first time. The Grizzlies beat the Rockets 115-109 on Dec. 23 in Memphis.

“With a couple players down and playing big minutes these other guys on a back-to-back, the schedule has been pretty tough and it’s getting tougher,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We just ran into one of those nights where we didn’t have it. We didn’t have it.”

The Rockets had their nine-game winning streak snapped. They won 10 consecutive games to open December, the 10th victory coming in overtime at Minnesota on the second game of a back-to-back.

“The good thing about ending a streak is we can start another one,” D’Antoni said.

Houston played without reserve guard Eric Gordon and starting center Clint Capela. Gordon missed his second consecutive game with a sprained left big toe and is questionable against Memphis; Capela has missed 13 games with a small fibula fracture in his left leg and is scheduled to return later this month.

Even in the face of injury the Rockets can hang their hat on consistency, having posted a 20-3 record since Dec. 1. Things haven’t been so rosy for the Grizzlies (24-17), whose last winning streak of longer than two games came in early December when they won six consecutive games to open that month.

In that span Memphis has lost to the Kings, the Magic and Lakers while beating the Cavaliers and Warriors. The Grizzlies are the only team to defeat the Warriors twice this season, but they also followed up a 34-point home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 29 with a 103-95 loss in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. Under first-year coach David Fizdale the Grizzlies toyed with the idea of a hastened pace and leaving behind their ‘Grit & Grind’ persona. Injuries scuttled those plans and Memphis currently ranks 28th in the NBA in pace and 25th in points per game with 99.2.

Establishing both a consistent level of play and a feasibly acceptable new identity has been surprisingly difficult. Uncovering solutions to those specific problems will require additional labor for the Grizzlies.

“Obviously when you play the game you see things one way, but when you look at film and try to see when you try to execute plays and when you try to run stuff, on film you can see why it’s not happening,” Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said. “All you can do is look at yourself and see what you can try to do better to help the team.”

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Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
PREDICTION: Thunder 103, Grizzlies 99

OKLAHOMA CITY — It seems like every team in the NBA that is a legitimate title contender has some sort of “Big Three” in their lineup. From Golden State to Cleveland, offenses revolve around the scoring of their trios or foursomes in some instances.

Yet, for most of this season, Oklahoma City has pretty much been a “Big One.” In many cases, Russell Westbrook has been the first, second and last option for the Thunder.

But lately, Oklahoma City has been building the foundation for their own really “Big Three.” Along with Westbrook, centers Steven Adams and Enes Kanter are becoming more consistent offensive weapons as the Thunder enter Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Against Chicago on Monday, the two centers combined for 42 points and 16 rebounds. They shot 20 of 25 from the field as the Thunder earned an easy 109-94 victory. In Oklahoma City’s win over Denver, Kanter and Adams tallied 30 points and 12 boards.

Kanter and Adams’ emergence has given Oklahoma City more options to run its offense through instead of always having Westbrook initiate the plays.

“It makes it easier for everybody,” Thunder guard Andre Roberson said. “That’s what we try to do all along or with Russ. Try to put two on the ball and find the open man. That’s how the game is played. They do a good job of passing out of the double team and taking advantage of it.”

Westbrook will still overwhelmingly dominate the action offensively for the Thunder. But now, he at least is gaining trust that he doesn’t have to do it by himself.

“My hand is always on the game,” Westbrook said. “I just pick my spots and see what’s open and what’s not.”

When the Thunder (23-16) face the Grizzlies (24-16) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, they will be taking on a squad that may be one of the few teams in the league built to battle them. With Mike Conley at point guard and Marc Gasol at center and Zach Randolph coming off the bench, they have a similar “Big Three” makeup.

But that wasn’t the case earlier in the year. With Randolph coming off the bench for the first time, he has had to get adjusted to his new role.

But recent success against Golden State and Utah may mean more playing time together for Randolph and Gasol.

“I think teams are happy with the way we’re playing, taking pressure off of them honestly,” Randolph told ESPN. “Some guys told me on that other teams: ‘Shoot, we’re happy y’all guys aren’t playing together anymore. It gives us a break.’ It’s already been proven. We’ve done proved enough and showed it. I think that’s not the question. It’s just coach wanting to play different and do a different style.”

When the Grizzlies beat the Thunder Dec. 29 in their only other matchup so far this season, there were some pretty upset players in the Oklahoma City locker room when it was over. It revolved around reserve guard Troy Daniels heaving up a couple of late 3-pointers in the final seconds the 114-80 contest. It’s something Roberson has not forgotten.

“At the end of that game I felt we got disrespected in a way,” Roberson said. “They were launching 3s at the end. I didn’t take that too kindly. It leaves a taste in your mouth after the game to be honest with you. We remember that.”

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, January 6, 2017
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, CSN Bay Area (Golden State)
PREDICTION: Warriors 116, Grizzlies 106

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors will seek to avenge one of their most lopsided losses of the season on Friday night when they close out a five-game homestand against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Warriors have lost just five times this season, once in resounding fashion, 110-89 on Dec. 10 at Memphis.

The two-time defending Western Conference champions have had a chance to avenge just one other defeat this season, and they did so big-time, blasting the Los Angeles Lakers 149-106.

That came 19 days after the Lakers’ 117-97 win over the Warriors.

This time, Golden State has had 27 days to stew over the loss at Memphis.

The last time they lost a regular-season game to the Grizzlies (105-98 on Dec. 16, 2014), the Warriors rebounded with a 23-point thumping in their next meeting.

Golden State hadn’t lost to the Grizzlies again until last month’s debacle. The Warriors swept last year’s season series 4-0.

Speaking of 4-0, that’s the record on their current homestand that the Warriors will take into Friday’s game. All four wins have come by between eight and 10 points.

Golden State is coming off a tough 125-117 win over Portland in which Stephen Curry erupted for 35 points. It was his highest output since Nov. 7, and required his second-highest number of shots (25).

Curry, who had attempted more than 20 shots in just one of his previous 16 games, insisted afterward nobody had instructed him to shoot more.

“I’m not going to fall into the temptation of abandoning what makes us successful just to say I shot more,” he said. “The way (the Trail Blazers) defended, I got a lot of shots out of the pick-and-roll.”

The Grizzlies (22-16) have struggled defensively of late. They’ve lost four of six, allowing 112 or more points in each of the defeats.

On the other hand, they held Oklahoma City to 80 and Sacramento to 98 in their two wins during the mini-slump.

Grizzlies coach David Fizdale noted in the wake of Wednesday’s 115-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers that he believes his team knows what it’ll take to turn things around against the Warriors in the finale of a four-game trip.

“If you can’t be up to play Golden State, then you are in the wrong business,” the former Warriors assistant said. “I look at every game as an opportunity to turn it around. We obviously aren’t defending at the levels we like. We gave up 116 (Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers) and 115 (against the Clippers). That’s very uncharacteristic of us.”

Memphis held Curry to 17 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and backcourt sidekick Klay Thompson to eight points also on 4-of-14 shooting in last month’s meeting. Golden State shot just 44.2 percent in the game and the league leaders in assists at 31.2 per game were limited to 15.

The Warriors registered 31 assists in Wednesday’s win over Portland. They are 24-1 when they’ve reached 30 this season.

No other team has 30 or more assists in a game more than six times this season.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
When: 10:30 PM ET, Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

TV: 10:30 p.m. FSN Southeast (Memphis), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 103, Clippers 102

LOS ANGELES — Memphis coach David Fizdale hopes he doesn’t witness a rerun of the exhibition his club performed Tuesday in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

On Wednesday, the Grizzles attempt to stage a much better showing when they face the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.

The Grizzlies couldn’t stop the hot-shooting Lakers or forward Julius Randle, who recorded a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. It was the first triple-double against Memphis in a span of 177 games (including 192 in the postseason), the longest streak in the NBA.

Fizdale just shook his head.

“We had our L.A. cool jacket on tonight,” Fizdale said. “I don’t know who we were performing for but it wasn’t for each other. We just have a way of having this other team creep in with us. We show signs of greatness and then we are just zombies out there and tonight was one of those nights.”

The Grizzlies (22-15) had won four of their last six before their debacle against the Lakers. The good news Tuesday was center Marc Gasol, who tweaked his left ankle in Saturday’s victory over the Sacramento Kings, returned and collected a team-high 22 points, seven assists and six rebounds against the Lakers.

The bad? Gasol isn’t a sure thing to play against the Clippers.

“I expect to be out there,” Gasol said. “We’ll see how the ankle reacts after the game (Tuesday). Obviously, it feels a little weak. I’m not as explosive by any means.”

The once-hot Clippers temporarily put an end to their losing ways on Monday. A 109-98 win over the Phoenix Suns snapped a season-high six-game losing streak for the Clippers (23-14), who have been without point guard Chris Paul (sore left hamstring) and forward Blake Griffin (right knee surgery).

Paul missed the last three games and five of the past six. He is listed as doubtful for the Memphis game. Griffin, the leading scorer at 21.2 points per game, missed nine straight contests and isn’t expected back for at least another 2-to-4 weeks.

Without them, the Clippers have endured their worst stretch this year. Before beating the Suns, the Clippers were pounded 114-88 by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday and 140-116 by the Houston Rockets on Friday.

However, despite committing 20 turnovers, 12 of them coming off Phoenix steals, Los Angeles defeated the Suns with a solid defensive outing, holding them to 38.2 percent shooting. The Clippers also forced the Suns to miss 13 of their 15 attempts from 3-point range.

“We played with some urgency,” said Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who finished with 20 rebounds, nine points and three blocks. “I think that we wanted to win so bad that we were just (playing) too fast. That is why we had so many turnovers. I feel like we played the right way. We were just trying to get each other open. Our defense was a lot better.”

The clubs split their two previous meetings this season. The Clippers won the initial one 99-88 on Nov. 4 in Memphis, while the Grizzlies earned a 111-107 decision Nov. 16 at Staples. Los Angeles captured five of its last seven contests against Memphis.

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Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 8, 2016
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee

TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), FSN Southeast (Memphis)
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 102, Trail Blazers 97

Oddsmakers currently have the Trail Blazers listed as 1-point favorites versus the Grizzlies, while the game’s total is sitting at 205.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Zach Randolph is back with the Memphis Grizzlies, just as his late mother would have wanted.

The veteran power forward returned to the team Tuesday after a seven-game absence following the death of Mae Randolph on Thanksgiving Day. He came off the bench for 12 points and 14 rebounds in a 96-91 victory over Philadelphia, drawing a standing ovation when he entered the game in the second quarter.

“I heard it,” Randolph told reporters afterward. “I appreciate the city and the love and support of the organization. It’s meant a lot for the city to be behind me.”

Randolph and his mother were very close. He grew up in a single-parent household in Marion, Ind.

“My mom was my father, too,” Randolph said. “My mom was all I had. She was the rock of the family. It’s tough, but I’m going to continue to go hard for her, and leave it all out there, and do it for her.”

“It’s important to get back to working. This is what my mother would want me to do. Don’t sit around and be sad. So I’m doing it for her.”

Memphis coach David Fizdale was glad to regain the services of Randolph. The Grizzlies, 15-8 heading into Thursday night’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers at FedEx Forum, have been shorthanded for some time. Veteran point guard Mike Conley is out for at least another month with a lower back injury. Small forward Chandler Parsons has been out since Nov. 18 with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for at least another week. Also missing are small forward James Ennis (calf), shooting guard Vince Carter (hip) and forward Brandan Wright (ankle).

Even with all the wounded, the Grizzlies have won four in a row and 10 of 13. In the win over Philadelphia, rookie guard Wade Baldwin stepped up with a season-high 11 points and forward JaMychal Green had his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Grizzlies will be looking to avenge a 100-94 loss to Portland on Nov. 6 in Memphis in a game in which the Blazers’ CJ McCollum matched his career high with 37 points. McCollum has averaged 24.0 points in his past five games against Memphis and has scored at least 20 in each of those contests.

The Blazers saw the end of a three-game win streak — and some improved defensive play — in a 115-107 loss at Milwaukee Wednesday night at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

The Bucks shot .519 from the field, including .417 (10 for 24) from 3-point range, and took advantage of nine fourth-quarter turnovers by the Blazers (12-11). Milwaukee scored 34 points in the third quarter and 30 in the fourth.

“We’re not a really good team right now,” Portland coach Terry Stotts told the media afterward. We’re finding our way.”

Point guard Damian Lillard continued his offensive tear with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but scored just two points in the fourth quarter.

“We weren’t as sharp as we needed to be on some possessions,” Lillard said. “When you’re against a team like that, with that kind of size and length, it’s going to lead to turnovers.”

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 5, 2016
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Memphis), FSN New Orleans
PREDICTION: Grizzlies 99, Pelicans 94</strong>

Reserve guard Troy Daniels was the latest to step up for Memphis with a career-high 31 points and Marc Gasol recorded 19 while JaMychal Green notched his second double-double (16 points, 13 rebounds). Daniels understands that with so many key players on the sidelines, someone needs to step up, and he is happy to take on a more prominent role. “I feel like I can make every shot that I take, and coach is giving me the green light,” Daniels told reporters. “My teammates are wanting me to shoot the ball and, obviously, I need to shoot the ball.” Despite 37 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks from Anthony Davis, the Pelicans dropped a 101-92 decision at Oklahoma City on Sunday to fall for the fourth time in five games.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (13-8): Gasol has stepped up his game in the wake of the many injuries – as well as a personal leave for fellow big man Zach Randolph – and a vastly improved perimeter continues to be the driving force. Gasol is 9-of-18 from long range over the course of a five-game stretch during which he is averaging 21.8 points. The native of Spain is shooting 55.8 percent overall during the streak and will be looking to make up for a sluggish effort against the Pelicans earlier this season (eight points, 3-of-18).

ABOUT THE PELICANS (7-14): Davis tied a season high by playing 43 minutes on Sunday and has seen at least 40 minutes of action in four of the last five games. His fellow starters combined to go 10-of-31 against the Thunder while averaging 27 minutes in a relative lack of support for their superstar forward. Rookie Buddy Hield, who has struggled mightily with his 3-point shot for most of the season, hit 4-of-7 on Sunday and scored 15 points in just 16 minutes off the bench.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Memphis has won six straight meetings overall – including an 89-83 triumph on Nov. 2 – and five in a row at home.

2. Hield recorded a season high-tying 18 points in the loss to the Grizzlies last month.

3. Randolph, who has missed six straight contests following the death of his mother, remains stuck on 999 career games.

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