By ,
Published November 20, 2014
Memphis hopes to bounce back from an embarrassing loss in Chicago when they return to Beale Street to host a team dealing with some rather significant internal strife, the Sacramento Kings.
Carlos Boozer scored 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds and Ronnie Brewer also netted 17 points as the Chicago Bulls recorded a dominating, 104-64, home-opening victory over the Grizzlies on New Year's Day.
Josh Davis and Sam Young both scored 10 points off the bench to lead the Grizzlies, who were held to 31 percent shooting in the game, including 1-for-9 from three-point range. The defeat was the Grizz's most lopsided since another pathetic performance in the Second City, a 111-66 setback on Jan. 13, 2007.
Part of the reason Memphis was so ineffective on Sunday was injuries. Already without starting point guard Mike Conley, the Grizzlies lost forward Zach Randolph to a bruised right knee late in the first quarter. The All-Star finished with just two points and three rebounds.
Lionel Hollins wasn't in the mood for excuses, however.
"This loss had nothing to do with Zach going down," the coach said. "We were [already] getting beat up."
Conley, who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle, is expected to return tonight while Randolph is believed to have suffered a bruised medial collateral ligament and will need a few days to recover.
The Kings, meanwhile, are coming off a win on New Year's Day but are dealing with disgruntled center DeMarcus Cousins.
The second-year big man, who is averaging 13.0 points and a team-best 11.3 rebounds, was told to stay home Sunday by coach Paul Westphal after reportedly requesting a trade following Saturday's 114-92 loss to New York.
Tyreke Evans scored a game-high 27 points without Cousins around to help as Sacramento snapped a three-game losing streak with a 96-80 win over the New Orleans Hornets.
The Kings trailed by two points at halftime but took control of the game with a 30-18 third quarter, getting 13 points from Evans in the frame.
Marcus Thornton finished with 25 points and John Salmons scored 13 for Sacramento, which salvaged the finale of a three-game homestand and won for the first time since upsetting the Lakers to open the season.
"What a difference a day makes," said Westphal. "The feeling here today and the feeling here last night -- that's why we play the games. You never know what's going to happen."
Cousins later denied any trade request.
"I want to address my missing the New Orleans game Sunday," Cousins said in a statement. "I have not demanded or requested a trade. I don't agree with the actions taken but will give my sincere effort to put it behind me and compete the best I can for my team."
Cousins did travel with the team to Memphis and according to the Sacramento Bee, the big man will dress for tonight's contest but will not start.
The Grizzlies have won three straight and six of seven over the Kings in the Volunteer State.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/grizzlies-kings-tangle-in-memphis