[thaKEAF]

VS.

[13-33] [27-18]

Saturday, February 2, 7:00 pm CST
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
SportSouth

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x STARTINGLINEUPS






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x GAMENOTES

F Rudy Gay recorded his second double-double of the season with 30 points and 10 rebounds. ... The Grizzlies broke out of a recent first-quarter slump with 29 points in the opening period against the Nuggets. They had been averaging just under 19.0 points in their three previous losses. ... C Darko Milicic tied a career high with 16 rebounds. ... A win over Denver would have given Memphis its sixth win in January, which would have been the club's best win total for a month since 2005. ... C-F Pau Gasol was not in uniform for the third time in four games due to back spasms.

Wednesday was the second consecutive game that the Jazz have led the entire way. They accomplished the feat Monday night against San Antonio as well. ... The Jazz's last home loss was December 29 when the league-best Boston Celtics prevailed 104-98 behind G-F Paul Pierce's 24 points. ... F Paul Millsap came off the bench to score 15 points on 7-of-9 from the floor, snagging six rebounds and blocking two shots. ... In January, the Jazz averaged 106.2 points and held opponents to 97.9. They have held six of their last eight opponents under 100 points. ... G Deron Williams registered his fifth double-double in a row and the ninth in his last 10 games. He has 24 for the season, tied for 11th in the NBA.

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x GAMEPREVIEW

The Utah Jazz's surge over the past three weeks has pushed them to the top of the Northwest Division. The Memphis Grizzlies, meanwhile, are laboring through another disappointing season leading to a major personnel shakeup.

The Jazz look to extend the NBA's longest current winning streak to eight games on Saturday night when they visit new-look Memphis after the trade of star Pau Gasol.

With another season slipping away, the Grizzlies (13-33) on Friday dealt the 7-foot Gasol -- their second-leading scorer (18.9) and leading rebounder (8.8) -- to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the rights to Gasol's brother Marc, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations.

"We're a 13-win team, so when you're in that situation, you've got to make moves," Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.

Memphis has dropped 23 of its last 30 and owns the fourth-worst record in the NBA.

The Jazz (29-18), meanwhile, have been red-hot as they look to win eight straight for the first time since Nov. 10-24, 2006. They're outscoring opponents by an average of 11.7 points during their current run.

"Everybody is really feeling good now," Mehmet Okur said after Friday's 96-87 win over Washington. "It's fun. We're really enjoying it."

On Jan. 5, Utah had the ninth-best record in the West at 18-17, and trailed Northwest Division-leading Denver by 3 1/2 games. Now, the Jazz have the fourth-best record in the conference with a one-game division lead over the Nuggets.

Okur had 27 points and 11 rebounds on Friday to help lead the Jazz while Carlos Boozer, who was playing in his first game since being selected to his second consecutive All-Star game, struggled.

Boozer leads Utah in scoring (22.0) and rebounding (10.6), but had a season-low four points on 1-of-9 shooting.

"It's a team sport, that's what's great about it," he said. "When you're not playing well, somebody's always going to be able to pick you up. This isn't tennis."

Boozer hopes to bounce back versus the Grizzlies, against whom he's averaging 29.2 points - his most against any West opponent - on 67.0 percent shooting and 12.8 rebounds in five games against since the start of last season.

He had 31 points and seven rebounds in Utah's 118-94 victory over Memphis on Nov. 10.

Deron Williams had 20 points and 13 assists against the Grizzlies in that contest, and is averaging 15.8 points and 13.2 assists in five games against them since 2006-07. Williams had 11 points and 12 assists on Friday for his sixth straight double-double.

Memphis is coming off a 106-102 loss to Denver on Wednesday after leading by seven points with 3:12 remaining.

"It's the same story as before," said Darko Milicic, who had 14 points and matched a career high with 16 rebounds. "(We) just can't find ways to win."

Rudy Gay had 30 points and 10 rebounds against the Nuggets, and will likely get more offensive looks with the departure of Gasol, who missed Wednesday's game with a sore back.

Gay has topped the 30-point mark 10 times in his two-year career, with four of those games coming without Gasol in the lineup.

Gay, who is averaging a team-high 19.8 points, had 18 on 6-of-11 shooting against the Jazz in November after scoring 18 on 6-of-25 shooting in four games against them last season.

Mike Miller, who is averaging 16.8 points, had just six points against Utah earlier this season. Miller had 22 points and nine boards on Wednesday.

[thaKEAF]

First time in franchise history that we play a game without Gasol on the roster. Our squad has put forth a good effort when we hadn't played so it should be interesting to see what happens tonight. I'm not expecting a win but I hope the team plays hard and doesn't go out there looking dazed from the trade.

[Basel57]

Are the new guys expected to be available for the Grizzlies tonight?

[thaKEAF]

I was wondering the same thing. No sign of them during the preshow so we'll see in a minute.

[thaKEAF]

Ugh we turn over the ball on our first possesion allowing Utah to score on the break. The same thing happens on our second trip down the court, and THEN the third trip also. 6-0 Utah..We need a timeout desperately and well we just got one. Is this life without Pau?

[thaKEAF]

Javaris is in the building. He took part in the shootaround but can't play due to a pending physical. Kwame isn't there I don't think.

[Chan]

Gay at PF? How's that working out?

[thaKEAF]

Warrick with a three at the buzzer! Only down by two points after the first period. Mike Miller is on the bench with two fouls but we managed to overcome a eight point deficit.

[thaKEAF]

Originally Posted by Chan

Gay at PF? How's that working out?

He's been good on offense so far. A good chunk of our victories came with him starting at the PF position.

[Basel57]

Not a bad first quarter...it started bad, but ended on a positive note.

25-23 Jazz leading after the first.

[thaKEAF]

Andre Brown showed some hustle and then got the ball to Miller. He runs in with a nice layup and gets fouled, he completes the three point play.

[thaKEAF]

They're interviewing Wallace on the sideline now. When asked if the team is done dealing before the deadline, he replied with "never say never".