Grizzlies welcome Sixers to Memphis
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the top defensive teams in the NBA and have forced at least 10 turnovers in 129 consecutive games.
The Philadelphia 76ers are averaging just over 11 turnovers in 15 of their last 21 games and could be in for a long night against the Grizzlies Wednesday from FedEx Forum.
Memphis, which leads the NBA in points allowed per game (90.5), ranks second in steals and third in forced turnovers, looks to get back on track after having a four-game winning streak come to an end Saturday against the Houston Rockets. Mike Conley led all Memphis scorers with 16 points in the 121-96 road setback and Zach Randolph finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for his NBA- leading 21st double-double of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Up until the end of the third quarter I thought we still had a chance," said Memphis forward Rudy Gay, who scored just six points. "But they didn't take their foot off the pedal."
The Grizzlies made 53.2 percent of their shots, but sank just 2-of-13 3- pointers. Marc Gasol and Tony Allen had 11 points apiece in defeat.
Memphis has won three in a row at home and is 12-2 as the host. It will wrap up the homestand Saturday versus Denver and is one game behind San Antonio for the Southwest Division lead.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Philadelphia will resume its season-high eight-game road trip Wednesday and opened the sojourn with a 95-92 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Sixers guard and leading scorer Jrue Holiday posted 24 points and handed out nine assists, and was playing his second game since missing four straight with a sprained foot.
Thaddeus Young ended with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Philadelphia, which has lost nine of 12 games since opening the season with a 10-6 record. The Sixers never led after a 12-11 advantage early on and have dropped six straight away games for the first time since an eight-game slide from Nov. 10- Dec. 3, 2010.
"There are a lot a games we play and we lose by close margins. Some games we lose by six or seven and other teams are beating us at the free throw line," said 76ers forward Dorell Wright. "A few of those shots in the paint and getting contact to go to the free throw line will help us beat teams."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Sixers will play their next seven games against teams from the West and are only 5-5 against the conference this season. On the injury front for the 76ers, veteran guard Jason Richardson (lower back) will miss Wednesday's game and rookie Maalik Wayns (foot) is questionable.
Philadelphia is also slated to visit the Warriors, Blazers, Lakers, Suns, Thunder and Spurs, and is 4-8 away from home. The Sixers have lost three in a row and four of previous five matchups with Memphis.