Grizzlies continue homestand versus Suns

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try to get their first victory on a season-long six-game homestand Tuesday night when they welcome the Phoenix Suns to FedExForum.

The Grizz started this stanza with a 97-88 setback to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night. Memphis was without its premiere big-man combo of Marc Gasol, who continues to sit with a left MCL sprain, and Zach Randolph, who missed the Nets game with a toe injury. Randolph is listed as day-to-day.

"Every week we're trying to find something, not because of our plays or what schemes we're running," said guard Mike Conley. "We've had to play different ways. We're searching. Hopefully, we'll figure it out."

The Grizzlies were down 15 and fought back, strengthened by Quincy Pondexter, who had 20 of his 22 points in the final 13 minutes. Conley had 16 points and 10 assists.

Kosta Koufos, who started in place of Gasol, posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Tony Allen chipped in 13 and Ed Davis, the starter for Randolph, managed 10 points.

Memphis, which was one of the league's best home teams last season, has dropped four in a row at home. The Grizzlies have taken five straight on the road.

The Suns kick off a short road trip, starting Tuesday in Memphis and ending Wednesday in Houston.

Phoenix lost its last time out, a 112-104 decision, at home, to the Utah Jazz on Saturday. It was Utah's first road victory of the season and halted a two- game winning streak for the Suns, one of the surprising teams in the NBA.

"For me, I'm a little disappointed," Gerald Green told the team's website. I feel like our record should be a lot better than what it is now. At the end of the month we let a lot of games slip."

The Suns held a four-point halftime lead against the Jazz, but Utah won the final two periods, 63-51. The Jazz shot 51 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the 3-point line.

Goran Dragic led the way for Phoenix with 24 points and went 11-for-13 from the foul line. Channing Frye added 17, while Green scored 14 on 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.

P.J. Tucker and Eric Bledsoe, who was in just his second game back from injury, both recorded 13 points.

The Suns and Grizz split four meetings last season, but the Suns have dropped five of their last seven in Memphis.