Pistons-Grizzlies Preview

By JEFF MEZYDLO
Posted Nov 29 2012 11:39AM

The Detroit Pistons have played well over the last two weeks. Whether they've improved enough to beat the team with the NBA's best record remains to be seen.

Hoping to turn things around on the road, the Pistons try for a third consecutive victory Friday night while looking to avoid a sixth straight defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Coming off a fourth straight losing season, Detroit (5-11) promptly started 0-8, but has since won five of eight and two in a row for the first time. Brandon Knight and Charlie Villanueva each had 19 points Wednesday and Rodney Stuckey added 18 as the Pistons went 12 of 16 from 3-point range in a 117-77 rout of Phoenix.

It was the club's most lopsided victory since beating Milwaukee 114-69 on Dec. 31, 2007.

"A lot of good play from a lot of good guys," coach Lawrence Frank said. "You don't have a lot of games like this, but obviously a lot of bright spots that we've got to keep on building on."

Frank's team is averaging 99.1 points on 48.2 percent shooting in the last eight games after putting up 91.3 and shooting 41.9 percent in the first eight, with six of those on the road. Detroit allowed 101.5 points per game during the 0-8 start, but has yielded 93.5 since.

The Pistons have won four straight at home, but they are still 1-8 and looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat on the road.

"We've started to put together better play at home, now we have to take the show on the road against two of the better teams," Frank said of the brief trip to Memphis (11-2) and Dallas. "One that's arguably the best team in the Western Conference."

The Pistons certainly face a daunting task against a Memphis club that has allowed 89.4 points per game while posting a 7-1 home mark. Detroit has averaged 88.0 points while losing its last five overall to the Grizzlies by an average margin of 13.8.

Memphis flexed its defensive muscle Wednesday night when it forced 11 turnovers and held Toronto to 30.6 percent shooting in the second half of a 103-82 victory. Set to conclude a five-game homestand, the Grizzlies have won three in a row since a 97-92 loss to Denver on Nov. 19.

"Everybody is playing well," forward Rudy Gay told the Grizzlies' official website. "We have great continuity. The starters have really challenged the team and we are playing great together."

Marreese Speights had 18 points with 12 rebounds off the bench Wednesday while Zach Randolph added 17 points and 13 boards for Memphis, which has won 18 of 19 regular-season home games.

A knee injury forced Randolph to miss both meetings with Detroit last season, but the former Michigan State star has averaged 26.3 points and 14.7 boards in his last three games against the Pistons.

Knight is averaging 22.0 points on 53.7 percent shooting - including 9 of 14 from 3-point range - in Detroit's last three contests overall. He averaged 18.5 points versus Memphis last season but went 11 of 34 (32.4 percent) from the field and 1 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Gay scores 18 to lead Grizzlies past Pistons 90-78

By CLAY BAILEY
Posted Dec 01 2012 12:20AM

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) The Memphis Grizzlies closed out their longest homestand of the season with a convincing defensive performance and a double-digit win.

Rudy Gay had 18 points, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley added 17 each, and the Grizzlies won their fourth straight with a 90-78 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night.

Memphis closed out the five-game home stretch with a 4-1 record, the only loss coming against Denver 97-92 in the opening game.

"We played a lot of good teams in this homestand, and in the last few weeks," Conley said. "For us to get this win, is huge for what we stand for, and that's just one game at a time and being ready for each individual opponent."

Darrell Arthur added 11 points for Memphis, while Jerryd Bayless scored 10 points. Gasol grabbed 11 rebounds.

Greg Monroe led the Pistons with 17 points and nine rebounds, and Tayshaun Prince finished with 15. Brandon Knight added 10 for Detroit, which lost its third straight and fell to 1-9 on the road.

While the Pistons outrebounded the Grizzlies 46-39, Detroit had trouble controlling the ball, committing 22 turnovers to 12 for Memphis.

"They are a good defensive team, but I think a lot of our problems came from turnovers," said Knight who had six turnovers. "Unforced turnovers and unforced errors. We gave them a lot of easy baskets."

Monroe had even more problems than Knight, committing seven turnovers.

"We definitely had a chance to win the game if we didn't turn the ball over as many times as we did," said the Pistons center, who was 7 of 15 from the field.

Memphis played without guard Tony Allen, who has a right groin sprain.

The Grizzlies built the lead in the second quarter and didn't relinquish the advantage the rest of the way.

Memphis carried a 53-45 lead into the break after a poor shooting start. Knight had all 10 of his points for the Pistons, while Gasol led Memphis with 15.

While both teams shot about 44 percent for the half, the Pistons committed 13 turnovers compared to five for Memphis.

Detroit coach Lawrence Frank said before the game, that it was mandatory that his team take care of the basketball.

"You just can't give this team extra possessions," Frank said. "Memphis obviously is a very, very good team. But how many of (the turnovers) were forced, and how many were unforced?"

Memphis started 5 of 21 from the field, but eventually got untracked building the lead to double digits.

The Pistons had a 12-4 run opening the third to pull back even.

But Conley converted a 3-point play, and connected from outside the arc to help Memphis carry a 76-66 lead into the final period.

Memphis maintained at least an eight-point advantage through the fourth quarter, although both teams struggled down the stretch. The two teams were a combined 9 of 35 in the final period, and Memphis outscored Detroit 14-12.

"Nobody could make a shot in the fourth quarter," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "I'm happy we were ahead and our defense was still strong."

The Grizzlies head to San Antonio on Saturday to face the Spurs, who are well-rested even though it cost the team $250,000 for sending Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Danny Green home before the finale of a six-game road trip in Miami on Thursday night.

NOTES: The Grizzlies have won six straight in the series. ... Randolph entered the game with 12 double-doubles in Memphis' first 13 games. He finished with eight points and five rebounds. ... The Pistons 22 turnovers matched a season high for a Memphis opponent.

Notebook: Grizzlies 90, Pistons 78

Marlon W. Morgan, For NBA.com
Posted Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:02 AM - Updated Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:02 AM

THE FACTS: The Memphis Grizzlies ended their season-long, five-game home stand with a hardfought 90-78 win over the improving Detroit Pistons Friday night at FedExForum. Forward Rudy Gay led the Grizzlies with a game-high 18 points, while Marc Gasol and Mike Conley each added 17. The Pistons were led by center Greg Monroe's 17 points and nine rebounds.

QUOTABLE: "We've been playing pretty decent all year long at home. It was a long homestand. It's probably time to go back on the road. It's not easy on the road, but I think your juices get flowing and you get stale being at home. We'll see what happens tomorrow night."

-- Grizzlies' coach Lionel Hollins on the Grizzlies big game at San Antonio Saturday night

THE STAT: Fortunately for the Grizzlies (12-2), they took a 76-66 lead into the fourth quarter because in the final period, neither team could get going. The Pistons (5-12) went just 3-for-14 in the fourth (21.4 percent), while the Grizzlies weren't much better, making 6-for-21 (28.6 percent).

TURNING POINT: With the game tied at 57, the Grizzlies went on a 13-3 run to take a 70-60 lead with 2:56 left in the third quarter. Conley led the run scoring nine straight points for the Grizzlies including a pair of 3-pointers.

HOT: Conley had a strong all-around game, scoring 17 points and dishing out five assists to go along with four rebounds and six steals.

NOT: With Conley draped all over him for most of the night, Detroit point guard Brandon Knight had six of his team's 22 turnovers.

QUOTABLE II: "It was just carelessness and just not valuing the basketball as you should. There wasn't a whole lot of pressure. A lot of them were mishandled passes, over-dribbling and stuff like that."

-- Pistons guard Brandon Knight on his six turnovers

NOTABLE: The Grizzlies were playing without starting guard Tony Allen, who was out with a right groin strain. Starting in his place was Wayne Ellington, who had an off night, scoring just three points on 1-for-9 shooting. ... The Grizzlies 12 wins in November are the second-most in franchise history. They won 13 games in March of 2006 and April of 2012. ... The Grizzlies have held their last two opponents under 80 points. They entered the game ranked No. 2 in the NBA, holding opponents to 91.1 points per game. ... The loss drops Detroit to 1-9 on the road this season. They travel to Dallas for a game Saturday night. ... Gasol's 17 points and 11 rebounds gave him his first double-double of the season.

UP NEXT: For the Pistons, Saturday @ Dallas, Monday vs. Cleveland, Wednesday vs. Golden State. For the Grizzlies, Saturday @ San Antonio, Tuesday vs. Phoenix, Friday @ New Orleans.

• Pistons: English, Middleton
• Grizzlies: Wroten

• Pistons: --
• Grizzlies: --

• Lead Changes: 9
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
• Officials: #13 Monty McCutchen, #61 Courtney Kirkland, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 16732
• Duration: 2:12