(Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try to put a rough loss to a
lowly team behind them when they invade the Peach State Wednesday to battle
the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena.
The Grizzlies suffered a 96-90 home loss to the Phoenix Suns Tuesday and a
weak fourth quarter was their demise. Phoenix had a 31-19 advantage in the
final period, while Jerryd Bayless led the Grizzlies with 29 points off the
bench. All-Star Zach Randolph had 21 points and 13 boards, and is second in
the NBA with 29 double-doubles.
"The disappointing part is they outscored us in the paint, 52-40, and they got
11 offensive rebounds for 16 second-chance points," Memphis head coach Lionel
Hollins said.
Tayshaun Prince scored 11 points in his second game with the Grizzlies, but
had a crucial turnover late in the contest. Prince, of course, was acquired in
the deal that sent Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors.
Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its last six games and will try to
improve a 12-9 road ledger in Atlanta. After visiting the Hawks, the Grizzlies
will return home for three games.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have dropped two in a row and three of four games since a
three-game winning streak and will play back-to-back games at Philips Arena.
In a 114-103 setback at Indiana, Jeff Teague and Al Horford scored 24 and 15
points, respectively, and John Jenkins netted 14 points. Seven Indiana players
scored in double figures and All-Star Paul George led the way with 29 points.
"We couldn't get a key stop when we needed it. We were trading baskets, but
they were making (3-pointers). It is tough to win a game when you're trading
baskets with a team at home," Teague said.
Hawks forward Josh Smith, who entered the game averaging 21.2 points in the
last five games, was held to just nine. He did grab a game-high 10 rebounds.
Horford is averaging 19.8 points in his past six contests for the Hawks, who
will also host New Orleans and are 16-9 at home.
Atlanta, which is 17-6 when scoring 100-plus points and 21-1 when leading
after three quarters, defeated the Grizzlies by a 93-83 score back on Dec. 8
this season at FedEx Forum. Lou Williams, who is out for the season with a
knee injury, scored 21 points in that one.
The Hawks have won 10 of the last 12 meetings with Memphis, losers in 13 of
the 17 matchups on the road in this series.
The Sports Network