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Sports

Rockets get Harden back for showdown with Memphis

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

(SportsNetwork.com) - A Southwest Division showdown is on the card Wednesday between the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.

The Grizzlies have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Rockets in the division and the two teams are separated by that many games for the second and third spots in the Western Conference standings.

Memphis hasn't played well of late, losing three of the past four games, and dropped a 93-82 decision versus the Utah Jazz Tuesday at FedExForum. Courtney Lee led the hosts with 18 points, Marc Gasol had 17 and eight rebounds, and Jordan Adams led the reserves with 13 points.

"Tough night for us," said Grizzlies coach David Joerger. "We had a couple of defensive breakdowns in the second half."

Joerger's squad shot 40.2 percent and played without Zach Randolph and Beno Udrih because of an illness. Tony Allen was suspended for the Jazz game because of a violation of team policy and is probable Wednesday.

Randolph is averaging 16.5 points and 11.7 rebounds this season.

The Grizzlies are 19-10 on the road and will play five of the next six games outside of Beale Street.

Houston will try to bounce back from Tuesday's 104-96 loss in Atlanta and will have NBA leading scorer James Harden back in the lineup. Harden (27.1 ppg) was suspended one game for kicking LeBron James in the groin during Sunday's overtime win versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Former Hawk Jason Terry led the Rockets with 21 points off the bench, making 4-of-8 3-pointers, and Terrence Jones scored 18 with rebounds and three blocks. Donatas Motiejunas and Josh Smith scored 14 points apiece for the Rockets, who were outscored, 32-15, in the fourth quarter.

"They came out and got us on our heels in the fourth quarter," Rockets head coach Kevin McHale said.

The Rockers are still 13-6 in the last 19 games and have won five in a row at home. They will also host Detroit on Friday and are 23-8 at the Toyota Center.

Houston is 2-1 against Memphis this season and has won back-to-back meetings in this series following a three-game slide.