(SportsNetwork.com) – The Memphis Grizzlies will try to remain one of two
undefeated teams in the NBA Wednesday night, but will face a stiff test when
they visit the Phoenix Suns.
The Grizzlies and Houston Rockets are the only perfect teams in the league and
Memphis reached 4-0 Monday night with a 93-81 home victory over the New
Orleans Pelicans.
Marc Gasol led all five Grizzlies starters in double figures with 16 points
and 11 rebounds. Gasol and Zach Randolph both provided double-doubles, with
the latter contributing 15 points and 11 boards, but the duo’s interior
defense was the bigger story in this one.
Gasol and Randolph limited Anthony Davis to 14 points and eight boards,
pedestrian totals from the lofty standards he set early this season. Davis was
averaging 28.5 points and 16.0 rebounds through two games coming in.
“We got them in the mud, got our hands and bodies on people. We were very
physical,” Grizzlies head coach David Joerger.
Tayshaun Prince chipped in 14, while Tony Allen also registered a double-
double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Mike Conley added 11.
Allen was fined $15,000 for striking a camera, which was held by a cameraman.
Allen made amends with the cameraman on Tuesday.
Courtney Lee missed the New Orleans’ win with concussion symptoms, but he’s
expected back in the lineup against the Suns.
The Grizzlies will visit Oklahoma City and Milwaukee on this road trip.
The Grizzlies lead the NBA in opponents’ scoring, allowing a measly 85.0 ppg.
They rank fourth in opponents’ field-goal percentage and Wednesday’s tilt with
Phoenix will provide a test. The Suns are eighth in the NBA in scoring at
104.0 ppg.
The Suns atoned for a bad loss to the Utah Jazz with a 112-106 road win over
the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
Gerald Green and Isaiah Thomas combined to score 48 of the Suns’ 53 bench
points. Green netted 26 on 11-of-19 shooting and the Suns’ leading scorer,
Thomas, deposited 22 to go with nine assists for Phoenix, which moved to 3-1
on the young season with a five-game homestand on tap.
Markieff Morris had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Goran Dragic added 16 points
and seven boards in the triumph.
The Suns shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 6-for-18 from beyond the 3-point
arc.
Phoenix will also host the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn
Nets and Charlotte Hornets on this upcoming residency.
Memphis swept all four meetings last season with the Suns and has won three
straight in Phoenix.
