Memphis Grizzlies (5-9) at Phoenix Suns (11-3), 9 p.m.
Sports Network | November 25, 2009
(Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies kick off a tough five-game road trip Wednesday night by invading the Valley of the Sun to take on an impressive Phoenix team.
The improving Grizzlies won for the fourth time in five games Monday when Rudy Gay scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Memphis downed Sacramento, 116-105.
O.J. Mayo added 20 points thanks to a 10-for-10 effort from the free throw line, while Marc Gasol contributed 18 points for the Grizzlies.
Zach Randolph checked in with 16 points, while Mike Conley had 11 and seven assists, as each Memphis starter scored in double- figures.
"It all comes from defense," said Gasol. "When we play better defense we communicate better and we turn that into offense. In offense it's hitting the open man and getting the best shot every time."
Memphis, which is just 1-6 on the road, will also face Portland, the LA Clippers, Utah and Minnesota on its trek.
The Suns, meanwhile, got back to their winning ways on Sunday when Amare Stoudemire scored 21 points and Steve Nash tallied 20 points and nine assists in Phoenix's 117-91 blowout of the Detroit Pistons.
Stoudemire and Nash combined for 27 points on 11-of-13 shooting in the first half as the Suns led 58-42 at the break. They never looked back and won for the 11th time in 14 games to start the season while staying perfect (5-0) at home.
Jason Richardson added 17 points for Phoenix, which shot 57.5 percent from the field and went 11-of-18 from beyond the arc.
"We definitely needed a bounce-back game after the loss to New Orleans and we definitely need to take care of our home court," Stoudemire said. "We started early and came out and played well defensively. The second unit came in there and did a great job as well, so it was a great total effort and a great win for us."
Dating back to last season, the Suns have won 15 straight games at US Airways Center. Meanwhile, Phoenix has taken six straight over Memphis in the desert.
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