[Cinco de Mayo]

<center>A R C O A R E N A
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2003
9:00 CST</center>
<center> vs
(15-12 / 6th Midwest) .. | .. (19-6 / 2nd Pacific)
Complete Standings

Starting Lineups
<IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/bo_outlaw.jpg" ALT="Bo Outlaw"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/pau_gasol.jpg" ALT="Pau Gasol"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/james_posey.jpg" ALT="James Posey"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_miller.jpg" ALT="Mike Miller"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_williams.jpg" ALT="Jason Williams"</IMG> vs <IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_bibby.jpg" ALT="Mike Bibby"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/doug_christie.jpg" ALT="Doug Christie"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/predrag_stojakovic.jpg" ALT="Peja Stojakovic"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brad_miller.jpg" ALT="Brad Miller"</IMG><IMG SRC="http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/vlade_divac.jpg" ALT="Vlade Divac"</IMG>
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Matchups to Watch

James Posey draws Peja Stojakovic for the third time this year.


Pau Gasol, coming off a strong performance at Denver, will try to keep Brad Miller off the boards.
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Head Coach: Hubie Brown
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Notes
Memphis is trying to recover from a 106-99 setback at Denver last night and snap a two game losing streak. ARCO Arena probably isn't the best place to do that, but they play the Kings tonight regardless. The Grizz are 1-16 at Sacramento all-time and lost on November 25th, 109-89. However, the Grizzlies defeated the Kings at home one week ago by the score of 105-100 in a fast-paced affair. Pau Gasol, coming off a 24 point 14 rebound performance against one of the better post defenders in Nene, will try to duplicate his success.

Injury Report
- Lorenzen Wright (sprained right ankle) is doubtful.
- Stromile Swift (flu) will play tonight.
- Dahntay Jones (sore left Achilles), Theron Smith (back spasms), and Ryan Humphrey (concussion) are on the injured list.

Clubhouse
Official Memphis/Sacramento Game Thread (12/16)
Official Memphis/Sacramento Game Thread (11/25)
Box Score (12/16) - Memphis (105) Sacramento (100)
Box Score (11/25) - Memphis (89) Sacramento (109)
Box Score (12/22) - Memphis (99) Denver (106)



Head Coach: Rick Adelman
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Notes
The Kings are riding a three-game win streak, coming off a 117-98 rout of Portland. Sacramento is 14-1 at home this year, furthering the claim that ARCO is one of the toughest places for an opponent to get a win. Vlade Divac scored a season-high 26 points in the Portland victory.

Injury Report
- Chris Webber (left knee surgery) and Lawrence Funderburke (sore right Achilles) are on the injured list.

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Click HERE to See NBA.com's Preview for Tonight's Game!




ROUNDTOWN</center>

[AL9045]

Going to be hard with Bradley Miller playing the way he has been...

[Cinco de Mayo]

I normally have faith in every game and all, but I don't have a good feeling on this one.

[talula]

Originally posted by <b>rawse</b>!
I normally have faith in every game and all, but I don't have a good feeling on this one.

I never have a good feeling when we're playing the Kings. And it would be even worse than usual tonight if Stromile wasn't available. Playing Sacramento without our starting center or backup center...

[talula]

A new starting lineup again tonight.

Jason Williams
Mike Miller
James Posey
Pau Gasol
Bo Outlaw

[UKfan4Life]

JWill blocked Brad Miller.

What is it with Grizzly PGs blocking other players?

[talula]

End 1st
Memphis 32
Sacramento 20


Kings
Stojakovic 10 points
Miller 3 rebounds
Bibby/Christie/Miller 1 assists


Grizzlies
Miller 7 points
Gasol 5 rebounds
Gasol 3 assists

[conkeso]

32-20, believe!!!


And now I hope Hubie put the starters back in before Sacramento cuts the lead

[talula]

Who said James Posey was offensively challenged? He's been on fire lately.


Thank god we signed him for the MLE instead of Scottie Pippen.

[Cinco de Mayo]

JWill's block on Miller was priceless.

James Posey had an obvious block get called a goaltend. I swear that the only thing NBA officiating is missing is a French judge.

Pau has seven points and has been aggressive.

All Grizz so far, but you know Sacramento's shooting is going to pick up...

[Cinco de Mayo]

I agree about Posey's scoring. He couldn't shoot at all when he was with Denver. His shot (especially from outside) has vastly improved in just one year.

Originally posted by <b>talula</b>!
Thank god we signed him for the MLE instead of Scottie Pippen.

I remember when RobyG used to come in here and tell us that we needed to get Scottie Pippen AND Robert Horry with that MLE.

[Cinco de Mayo]

Here's a quick sequence of events:

Stojakovic tries a put-back and gets fouled. No-call. Peja cries like a ***** and intentionally BUMPS the official. A technical foul is called, deservedly. Should have been an ejection.

The very next play. Offensive foul on Bonzi (his 3rd) when no contact whatsoever was made with anyone on the court. Terrible make-up call. Pau volleyballs the ball to half-court and is called for a technical foul. Deservedly.

Next play after the technical foul shot. Bonzi is called for a fourth foul. Good call. Stupid play by Bonzi. IMMEDIATE technical foul on Bonzi before he can even get a word in edgewise.

It takes alot for me to complain about the officiating, but some of this is absolutely ridiculous. If the officials didn't want to let the game get out of control, they should have taken the necessary steps to ensure that it DIDN'T ALREADY lose control. Then, they decide not to eject a guy that makes visible forceable contact with an official, and then T a guy up for not saying a word. I'll say again: the only thing missing in the NBA's officiating is the French judge.

[talula]

Half
Memphis 54
Sacramento 52


Kings
Miller 17 points
Miller 8 rebounds
Divac/Jackson 2 assists


Grizzlies
Posey/Gasol/Miller 9 points
Gasol 7 rebounds
Gasol 4 assists


Grizzlies have shot 11 free throws while the Kings have shot 26.