Grizzlies close homestand with Hornets in town
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try to close out a four-game homestand on a high note when they entertain the Charlotte Hornets Friday night at FedExForum.
The Grizzlies are 10-1 at home and defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 114-105, on Tuesday thanks to Marc Gasol's 30 points and 12-of-13 free throws. Gasol had just two points in a win over Miami last Sunday.
"He played great Sunday. He didn't have the big scoring numbers but he helped us in the game in other areas," Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee said. "That's Marc. One day he might lead the team in scoring. One day he might lead the team in assists. We always expect Marc to come back and play at a high level."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Gasol has four 30-point games this season.
Mike Conley scored 22 points and Zach Randolph contributed 17 and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who are 2-1 on the homestand and have won seven of nine games. After the Mavericks cut Memphis' lead to 101-99, the Grizzlies responded with a 13-6 burst.
Memphis had only five turnovers and scored 25 points on 16 Dallas miscues. The Grizzlies shot 48.2 percent from the floor, outscored the Mavs, 36-17, in the third quarter and recorded a 52-26 advantage in the paint. Dallas entered the game as the league's highest-scoring team and made 18-of-40 3-pointers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Grizzlies are first in opponents' scoring at 94.0 points per game and 14-1 when outshooting the opposition. They have a 5-2 mark (3-0 at home) against teams from the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte has won two in a row after a lengthy 10-game slide and looks to halt a four-game road losing streak Friday.
The Hornets handed the Boston Celtics a 96-87 setback on Wednesday and were led by Al Jefferson's 23 points and 14 rebounds. Kemba Walker and Lance Stephenson scored 18 and 13 points, respectively, for Charlotte, which outscored the Celtics, 56-42, in the second half.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That was a good win for us," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. "Al came up big in the fourth."
Charlotte has committed seven turnovers or less in six of the last 10 games and is committing the fewest turnovers in the league (11.3).
The Hornets got starting forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist back after he missed the last 12 games with a foot injury. He had nine points and six boards in just over 19 minutes of action.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Clifford's squad is just 1-8 on the road, but has been playing well of late.
Memphis edged Charlotte, 71-69, on Nov. 1 at The Hive and Gasol converted a go-ahead three-point play in the final minute of regulation. Gasol had 22 points and Jefferson countered with 19 for the Hornets.
Memphis and Charlotte split two meetings last season.