BARON DAVIS
VS
MIKE CONLEY
ERIC GORDON
VS
OJ MAYO
AL THORTON
VS
RUDY GAY
ZACH RANDOLPH
VS
HAKIM WARRICK
MARCUS CAMBY
VS
MARC GASOL
GAME BREAKDOWN TO FOLLOW:
With their confidence rising, the Memphis Grizzlies are hoping to finally build some momentum at home. A matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers should make that task easier.
The Grizzlies, playing well under coach Lionel Hollins, look to win consecutive games at the FedExForum for the first time since December and hand the Clippers their 12th straight road defeat Friday night.
Memphis (13-35) has won two straight after losing its first three games under Hollins, who took over after Marc Iavaroni was fired on Jan. 22. There has been a sense of enthusiasm over the last few games, with the Grizzlies embracing Hollins' wide-open style.
"Guys are really starting to get comfortable in our new offense, and the way that we're running things," said Mike Conley, who has taken over at point guard. "It shows when guys are making extra passes and getting guys open."
Memphis had not won at home in a month, losing seven straight before beating Houston 104-93 on Wednesday night for its second straight victory overall.
A win over the Clippers (10-39) would give the Grizzles consecutive victories at the FedExForum for the first time since a four-game run from Dec. 5-14.
Memphis beat Los Angeles 93-81 in the first game of that stretch. The Clippers went on to win four of their next five road games but have lost 11 in a row since, getting outscored by an average of 17.7 points.
It's Los Angeles' longest road losing streak since dropping 19 straight in the 1999-00 season.
The Clippers have struggled wherever they've played. Los Angeles has lost seven straight and 21 of 23 overall, and is tied with Washington for the NBA's worst record.
The Clippers are allowing 110.6 points per game during their skid away from Staples Center, and will now try to slow down a Memphis team that is averaging 104.0 points and shooting 53.3 percent in its last two.
Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo has led the way, scoring 32 points versus the Rockets after a 33-point effort in a 113-97 win at Washington on Monday night. Mayo, selected third overall in last year's draft, is shooting 58.9 percent (33-for-56) in his last three games -- 56.3 percent (9-for-16) from 3-point range.
"We're confident," said Mayo, averaging a team-high 19.6 points. "We're doing a great job in practice, working hard and focusing on getting better.
"It's baby steps. Put together two straight wins, and hopefully, we can keep it rolling."
Mayo had 20 points in December's matchup with the Clippers.
Baron Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points in that contest, but is now trying to get back into a groove after missing 13 straight games with a bruised tailbone and strained hamstring. Davis came off the bench in his first four games back, finally making his return to the starting lineup in a 125-96 loss at Orlando on Wednesday night.
The veteran point guard had nine points and is averaging 9.4 since coming back, shooting 29.6 percent during that stretch.
