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	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for Memphis Grizzlies</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:36:53 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:36:53 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Kings-Grizzlies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BECKER
STATS Senior Writer

Sacramento (5-7) at Memphis (4-9), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Sacramento Kings coach Paul Westphal is proud of the way his
team his playing. Their effort just hasn't led to many wins
lately.

Westphal's Kings look to avoid a season-high fourth straight
loss Monday night when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies.

Wins were expected to be hard to come by for Sacramento (5-7)
after Kevin Martin fractured his left wrist in the first week of
November, but the team has remained competitive.

The Kings won their first four games following Martin's injury
but have lost three in a row since. The last two defeats have
been especially hard to swallow.

After falling to Southwest Division-leading Dallas 104-102 on
Friday, Sacramento lost to Houston 113-106 on Saturday. The
Kings had a chance against the Rockets, pulling within three on
a 3-pointer by Beno Udrih with 1:19 remaining, but could not get
any closer.

Sacramento had six players in double figures, led by Spencer
Hawes' season-high 24 points and Udrih's 18.

"I like the spirit and the effort on this team," Westphal said.
"Everyone should be pleased with the way we're playing. I like
the way we compete every night. I'm sorry we couldn't cash in on
the effort. This team has heart but we haven't learned how to
win."

Making things even tougher for Sacramento, rookie Tyreke Evans
sat out Saturday after spraining a finger on his right hand
diving for a ball against the Mavericks.

Evans had been carrying the Kings' offense lately, averaging
24.0 points in the six games since Martin's injury, and his
status for this game is uncertain. He had a season-low three
points in a 127-116 overtime victory over Memphis on Nov. 2
while Martin finished with 48 on 7 of 10 shooting from 3-point
range.

Like Sacramento, the Grizzlies (4-9) are also coming off a tough
loss.

Memphis led Milwaukee by 12 points in the first half Friday and
was tied at 90 with 3:21 to play but ended up losing 103-98,
snapping a three-game winning streak.

"We should have won this game," said Zach Randolph, who scored
18 points. "We have to get ready for Monday against Sacramento.
We need to prepare and come out and play."

Despite Friday's defeat, the Grizzlies again received strong
performances from Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol.

Gay finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds and is averaging
26.0 points and 8.0 boards in his last three games, while Gasol
had 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting and is averaging 16.5 points on
84.4 percent shooting over the last four.

Both players also had solid performances against the Kings
earlier this month.

Gay finished with 21 points and a career high-tying 13 rebounds,
and Gasol added 16 and 16, respectively. Randolph led the way
for Memphis in that game with 30 points and a season-best 16
rebounds.

The loss to Sacramento earlier this month was part of a
seven-game skid for the Grizzlies.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136356-Kings-Grizzlies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136356-Kings-Grizzlies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bucks win 3rd straight behind Jennings' 26 points]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- It took a half, then Brandon Jennings showed
the Memphis Grizzlies why he is among the best of this year's
rookie class.

Jennings, who leads first-year players in scoring and assists,
scored 24 of his 26 points after halftime, and the Milwaukee
Bucks beat the Grizzlies 103-98 on Saturday night for their
third straight victory.

"We're a second-half team," Jennings said after the Bucks
overcame a 12-point, first-half deficit. "We're not going to
throw in the towel and give up. Everyone came out and
contributed in the second half."

Charlie Bell added a season-high 19 for Milwaukee, which has won
seven of its last eight. Ersan Ilyasova finished with 18 points
and 12 rebounds, and reserve Luke Ridnour contributed 13 points
and a season-high 12 assists.

Rudy Gay had 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Memphis had its
three-game winning streak snapped. Zach Randolph scored 18
points, O.J. Mayo had 15, and Marc Gasol finished with 14 points
and 14 rebounds.

The Bucks improved to 8-3, their best start since going 9-1 in
2001-02, despite playing without starting center Andrew Bogut
(left leg strain) and guard Michael Redd (left knee).

"We had a lot of guys contribute, which is what we need right
now," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said.

Jennings started showing his talents after halftime, scoring 12
in the third on 6 of 11 shooting. The Bucks also negated the
Grizzlies' inside players by going small, outscoring Memphis
31-22 in the period.

"They have big scorers on the wings and down low," Ridnour said.
"We were able to dig some balls out, make them miss, and the big
thing is we got the rebounds. From that, we were able to run."

The Grizzlies used 12 points from Randolph and 11 more from Gay
to carry a 50-45 lead into halftime. Bell led the Bucks with 11.
Milwaukee trailed by 11 with just over 2 minutes left in the
half, but the Bucks closed with an 8-2 rally.

"The guys did an excellent job of getting the lead to five right
there at halftime, so we knew it was manageable," said Kurt
Thomas, who had eight points and 10 rebounds.

Memphis shot well in the first quarter, reaching 71 percent at
one point, helping the Grizzlies build the early lead to 12.
Gasol, who is among the league leaders in field goal percentage,
hit all four shots in the period, and Randolph only missed one
of his five.

But the Grizzlies couldn't build the lead any further because of
turnover problems, committing a half-dozen miscues in the
quarter. They committed 16 on the night.

"We had low energy to start the game," Skiles said. "When the
second rotation came into the game, we got back into our game."

Jennings managed only three shots in the first half, missing all
of them and recorded only two points.

"I thought we did a good job for most of the night, just trying
to stay in front of him, making him make tough shots," said
Memphis guard Mike Conley, who had 11 points and five assists
and was responsible for shadowing Jennings much of the night.
"He made a lot of tough shots, and we have to live with that
sometimes."

Carlos Delfino's 3-pointer from the right corner, his only field
goal of the night, evened the score at 53. A three-point play by
Ilyasova less than a minute later gave the Bucks their first
lead of the game, and Milwaukee carried a 76-72 advantage into
the final period.

Milwaukee scored eight straight points after the game was tied
at 90 with 3:21 left to seize control.

"That last five or six minutes, it's winning time," Ridnour
said. "Everyone stepped up and made big plays."

NOTES: Dan Gadzuric started at center for Bogut. ... Bucks F
Hakim Warrick, who played his first four seasons in Memphis,
received a warm ovation from the Grizzlies fans when he entered
the game in the first quarter. ... Milwaukee was playing its
first road game after going 5-1 on a homestand. ... The Bucks'
bench outscored Memphis' reserves 35-16. The Grizzlies' bench
has not outscored an opponent's. Gasol, who entered the game
ranked fifth in the league in field goal percentage (60
percent), was 6 of 8 on the night. Over the last four games, he
is shooting 84.4 percent (27 of 32).]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136232-Bucks-win-3rd-straight-behind-Jennings-26-points</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/136232-Bucks-win-3rd-straight-behind-Jennings-26-points</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:03:08 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Bucks-Grizzlies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

Milwaukee (6-3) at Memphis (3-8), 8:00 p.m. EDT

For the second consecutive season, the Milwaukee Bucks are
trying to overcome injuries to some key players. Thanks to
Brandon Jennings, they've fared well through the adversity so
far.

Coming off a successful homestand, Jennings and the Bucks open a
four-game road trip Saturday night against the surging Memphis
Grizzlies.

Milwaukee (7-3) begins the trip with starters Michael Redd,
Andrew Bogut and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute all nursing injuries.

While Redd expects to return at some point on the trip, he'll
likely miss his ninth straight game with a strained left knee
Saturday. Mbah a Moute (sprained left foot) could miss a third
straight contest. Bogut, who was averaging 16.1 points and 9.2
rebounds, is out two to four weeks after straining a ligament in
his calf during a 99-85 victory over New Jersey on Wednesday.

Last season, the Bucks went 10-23 without Bogut and Redd, who
both missed a large portion of the schedule.

"You don't ever want times like this, that's for sure,"
Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said. "Last year when it happened
we weren't able to hold it together, so hopefully having a
deeper team that we have we can weather it a little bit better."

So far they have. The Bucks are 6-2 without the high-scoring
Redd, and they won 95-88 over Charlotte on Friday in their first
game without Bogut.

Jennings, the 10th overall pick in June's draft, had 29 points
against the Bobcats and Hakim Warrick added 16 as Milwaukee
concluded a 5-1 homestand to continue its best start since
opening 9-1 in 2001.

Jennings is averaging 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists
while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and 51.9 percent from
3-point range. He scored 55 points for a Milwaukee rookie record
in a win over Golden State last Saturday.

"You'd be hard pressed to find a rookie's first 10 games better
than this," Skiles said.

Averaging 10.3 points per contest, Warrick returns to Memphis
after spending his first four seasons with the Grizzlies.

Though Memphis (4-8) snapped a five-game losing streak in this
series with a 107-102 road win in the teams' last meeting April
4, the Bucks have won three in a row at the FedEx Forum.

Milwaukee, 1-2 on the road, plays four games in seven days on
its first lengthy stretch away from home. After Memphis, the
Bucks visit San Antonio, New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

"We're going to try to go in and get all the wins we can,"
Jennings said. "It's going to be a long week."

Milwaukee could be in for a tough time against a Memphis team
that won 102-97 at Philadelphia on Friday for its third straight
victory since losing seven in a row.

Rudy Gay tied his season high with 33 points and Marc Gasol
added 19 with eight rebounds as the Grizzlies shot 51.9 percent
for their first road win.

"It really helps to build confidence, which a young team needs,"
said Gasol, who's averaging 15.3 points and 10.8 boards this
season.

Gasol averaged 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in two games against
the Bucks last season. Gay, meanwhile, is averaging 21.6 points
this season and 24.3 on 50.7 percent shooting in his last four
versus Milwaukee.

Memphis won a season-high four consecutive games twice last
season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135907-Bucks-Grizzlies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135907-Bucks-Grizzlies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies beat 76ers for third straight victory]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Rudy Gay received the pass and never
hesitated.

When the shot swished through the net, the giddy Memphis
Grizzlies had plenty to celebrate.

Gay tied his season high with 33 points, including a clutch
jumper with 19 seconds remaining, Zach Randolph added 21 points
and 11 rebounds, and the Grizzlies registered their first road
win of the season with a 102-97 victory over the Philadelphia
76ers on Friday.

"My jump shot felt good all night, said Gay, who shot 14 of 22
and added 10 rebounds. "I didn't force anything. I just had a
good feel the whole night."

Marc Gasol had 19 points and O.J. Mayo 12 for the Grizzlies
(4-8), who have won three straight and improved to 1-6 on the
road. It was their first three-game winning streak in November
since 2005, and their first victory in Philadelphia since Feb.
9, 2005.

No member of the current Grizzlies team was on the roster for
that last win.

"It's great to get a road win," said Gasol, who also contributed
eight rebounds. "It really helps to build confidence, which a
young team needs."

Lou Williams scored a career-high 31 points, Elton Brand added
22 and Andre Iguodala had 15 for the Sixers (5-7).

"It was about team versus non-team," Philadelphia coach Eddie
Jordan said.

With the Grizzlies leading 98-95, Gay connected on a 17-foot
jumper from the right wing with a second remaining on the shot
clock to seal the victory. Gay scored 12 points in the fourth
quarter on 5-of-7 shooting and finished the game with 10
rebounds.

"I wanted the ball in my hands," Gay said. "I got that big shot
within the flow of the offense."

A number of Allen Iverson jerseys were visible throughout the
arena as the crowd anticipated the return of the former Sixers
All-Star guard. Though Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on
Tuesday, a larger-than-usual crowd of 14,269 still showed up at
the Wachovia Center.

Without Iverson, the young Grizzlies raced past the Sixers en
route to a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

A jumper by Iguodala cut the lead to 92-86 before Marcus
Williams hit a jumper and Gay followed with a fast-break layup
for a 96-86 advantage with 4:08 remaining.

The Sixers scored five straight to get within 96-91 before Mike
Conley hit a layup, his first field goal, for a 98-91 lead with
1:52 left. Though the Sixers did close within three, it wasn't
enough.

"It's definitely a tough loss," Iguodala said. "They just put it
to us. We've got to find a way to regroup."

Leading 72-71, the Grizzlies went on to score the final six
points of the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Mayo, a free throw
by Williams and a driving layup by Williams for a 78-71
advantage.

Williams scored 16 points for the Sixers as they held a 50-49
advantage at halftime.

NOTES: Sixers C Primoz Brezec was called on for the first time
this season, playing four minutes in the first half. He was 0
for 3 with two rebounds. ... Memphis missed all four of its
3-pointers in the first half. ... The Sixers play seven of their
next eight games on the road. ... Memphis outrebounded the
Sixers 48-28.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135824-Grizzlies-beat-76ers-for-third-straight-victory</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135824-Grizzlies-beat-76ers-for-third-straight-victory</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:26:23 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies-76ers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Memphis (3-8) at Philadelphia (5-6), 7:00 p.m. EDT

Elton Brand hadn't been contributing much during the first three
quarters of the Philadelphia 76ers' recent games, so coach Eddie
Jordan decided to keep him on the bench for the final 12
minutes.

In their latest contest, Brand made his presence felt while
logging his most floor time of the season.

Brand's breakout performance gave the Sixers a huge lift in
avoiding a third straight loss, and they'll hope to see another
impressive effort from the veteran big man Friday night as they
look for a sixth consecutive win over the visiting Memphis
Grizzlies.

Philadelphia's decision to sign Brand to a five-year, $82
million deal in July 2008 was questioned considering the
two-time All-Star had missed nearly all of the previous season
after rupturing his left Achilles' tendon.

It looked even worse after he missed 53 games last season - 51
because of a dislocated shoulder - and Brand had hardly looked
fully recovered as the Sixers lost six of their first 10. He was
averaging 9.8 points and 5.3 rebounds, numbers that were
essentially half of his career totals, and didn't play in the
fourth quarter in six of the last seven games.

That prompted speculation that Jordan would bring Brand off the
bench, but he started Wednesday against Charlotte and played his
best game in nearly a year. Brand had 19 points, 11 rebounds and
six blocks in 42 minutes - all season highs - and Louis
Williams' layup with 3.1 seconds remaining gave the Sixers (5-6)
an 86-84 win.

"I'm competitive and I want to be on the court. Whether I proved
anything to them, I don't know," Brand told the NBA's official
Web site. "It's certainly more fun to be on the court in the
fourth quarter than to be watching from the bench."

Brand hasn't faced Memphis (3-8) since January 2007. He's
averaged 27.0 points in his last seven games against the
Grizzlies.

Williams had 19 points Wednesday and he's been perhaps the
Sixers' most pleasant surprise in his first year starting after
Andre Miller left via free agency. Williams also had six
assists, lifting Philadelphia to 4-0 when he has six or more.

"We needed a win," said Williams, who's among the league's top
10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.29 to 1). "To be honest, I was
kind of mad that we were behind. I took it personally."

Memphis has won two in a row, and though beating Minnesota and
the Los Angeles Clippers at home are hardly marquee victories,
coach Lionel Hollins' team is happy with any momentum after
parting ways with Allen Iverson this week.

The Grizzlies have shot 51.6 percent in the two wins while
getting the newly signed Jamaal Tinsley in the mix at point
guard with Mike Conley and Marcus Williams. Rudy Gay and Zach
Randolph had 21 points apiece and Memphis had 23 assists to 13
turnovers - its best differential of the season - in a 106-91
win over the Clippers on Wednesday.

"How we played today is something like how we need to play every
game," Gay said. "We need to spread the ball around."

Andre Iguodala has averaged 24.2 points as the Sixers have won
five straight over the Grizzlies, who are 0-6 on the road.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135369-Grizzlies-76ers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135369-Grizzlies-76ers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:29:01 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Gay, Randolph lead Grizzlies over Clippers 106-91]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins thinks his
team's chemistry is finally right.

Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph scored 21 points apiece and the
Memphis Grizzlies won their second straight, 106-91 over the Los
Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

"It's caring about each other and respecting each other and
getting back to being a team again," Hollins said. "We've been
working on coming back together."

Marc Gasol set a club record for consecutive field goals made,
making 15 straight over a two-game span before a miss in the
third period.

"Two games in a row we've won," said Gasol, who had 16 points,
eight rebounds and six assists. "That's the most important.
Everything else is just numbers and stats. As you can see, we're
playing better."

O.J. Mayo also had 16 points as Memphis shot 54 percent from the
field. All of Gay's points came in the second half as he made 9
of 12 shots.

Baron Davis led the Clippers with 23 points, and Chris Kaman
finished with 17. Ricky Davis and Craig Smith each scored 12
points, Smith missing only one of his seven shots.

"They're at home, so we can't afford to give them extra
possessions, extra buckets," Baron Davis said. "At times, we get
out of sync offensively. Next thing you know, a two-point game
is a 10-point game. It's a four-point game, then it's a 13-point
game. It's a six-point game, and it's a 15-point game.

"You can't play like that on the road. You have to stay close,
and you have to be able to get stops and get rebounds. We
weren't able to do that."

The Grizzlies hit their first seven shots, including four by
Gasol, who was 8 of 8 in Saturday's win over the Minnesota
Timberwolves. Gasol hit three more before a miss with 3:52 left
in the third quarter, breaking Tony Massenburg's franchise
record of 13 straight established in 1999.

Memphis shot 59 percent in the first half and carried a 55-45
lead into the break. Randolph and Gasol scored 14 points apiece,
while Mayo had 12 points. The trio was a combined 16 of 20 from
the field. Memphis enjoyed success inside after Clippers forward
Marcus Camby left the game in the first quarter with a lower
back bruise and did not return.

"Part of the problem was that Gasol had a good night on us,"
Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We were doing a good job on
Zach Randolph until Marcus Camby hurt his back and had to go out
of the game.

"The Grizzlies had it going both ways in the post, which forced
us to double-team, and they made shots," he added.

The Clippers initially kept pace as Kaman missed only one of his
first five shots, and Baron Davis scored 15 of the Clippers' 23
points in the first period. Kaman had the other eight.

Davis ended up with 20 points in the half, while Kaman had 12.

"We didn't come out ready to play," Kaman said. "Anytime that
happens, it's going to be a tough night. Defensively, we let
them get away from us a little bit. They had dunks and easy
layups. Our rotations were bad."

Already leading by double digits, Memphis opened the third
period with a 9-2 run. The Grizzlies would build their lead to
22 points in the third and were up 82-64 at the end of the
period.

The Clippers, using their reserves for more defensive intensity,
were able to get within 13 in the fourth, but never got closer,
dropping their fifth in the last six.

And while the Clippers are reeling, Memphis players think
they've found a key to success with better ball movement,
balanced scoring and trust in each other.

"How we played today is something like how we need to play every
game," Gay said. "We need to spread the ball around."

NOTES: Clippers G Baron Davis recorded five assists, leaving him
five short of 5,000 for his career. Grizzlies G Jamaal Tinsley,
signed to a contract last Saturday, appeared in his first game
since the middle of the 2007-08 season. Tinsley, who picked up
two quick fouls after entering in the first quarter, played six
minutes and did not score. Clippers G Eric Gordon was out with a
strained groin. The Clippers are 1-8 when the second-year guard
out of Indiana doesn't play. Also inactive was G Kareem Rush,
who tore his right ACL in Tuesday night's game at New Orleans.
The injury will be reevaluated when the Clippers return home to
Los Angeles. Grizzlies C Hasheem Thabeet, the second pick in
last year's draft, played 12 minutes. Coach Lionel Hollins said
the rookie will begin to get more playing time. "I just think he
needs to play," Hollins said, adding, "You look at the
situation, where we are, do I play guys who really aren't the
future? I decided he's got to get out there and take his lumps."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135222-Gay-Randolph-lead-Grizzlies-over-Clippers-106-91</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135222-Gay-Randolph-lead-Grizzlies-over-Clippers-106-91</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:24:13 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Tinsley plays in first game since 2007-08]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- Jamaal Tinsley saw his first NBA action
since the middle of the 2007-08 season when the guard entered
the Memphis Grizzlies' game against the Los Angeles Clippers on
Wednesday night in the first quarter.

The Grizzlies signed the former Indiana Pacers point guard on
Saturday in hopes of bringing in a veteran playmaker to help run
the Memphis offense. He joined the team Monday, worked out
Tuesday and went through shootaround earlier Wednesday

"He's going to play," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said before
the game. "I don't know how much, but why wait?"

The Pacers bought out Tinsley in July. He had not played since
the middle of the 2007-08 season when off-court issues led to
Indiana telling him to stay away from the team.

In his seven seasons with Indiana, Tinsley averaged 10.4 points
and seven assists. The assists average puts him seventh among
active players.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135170-Tinsley-plays-in-first-game-since-2007-08</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/135170-Tinsley-plays-in-first-game-since-2007-08</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:45:09 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Clippers-Grizzlies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (4-8) at Memphis (2-8), 8:00 p.m. EDT

With Allen Iverson officially out of the picture, the Memphis
Grizzlies can completely focus on playing better basketball.

The Grizzlies look for their second straight victory when they
host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

After playing just three games before taking a leave of absence
from the team, Iverson's brief career with the Grizzlies ended
when the club announced Monday they had mutually agreed to end a
one-year contract with the former MVP.

The 10-time All-Star, unhappy about coming off the bench,
averaged 12.3 points and 22.3 minutes.

"Because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team
on Nov. 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time,
allowing him to focus on those matters," general manager Chris
Wallace said in a statement. "As a result, we will be ending our
contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties
to move forward. We wish Allen the best."

The announcement came two days after Memphis (2-8) snapped a
seven-game losing streak with a 97-87 win over Minnesota.

"We sat down as a team and had a long discussion about what we
needed to do to get better," point guard Mike Conley said. "One
was to be mentally prepared before the game, and then go out
there and work as hard as we can. Everybody from the first guy
to the last guy come in there with 100 percent effort. That's
what wins games."

With that victory and Iverson no longer a distraction, the
Grizzlies hope to change their fortunes.

"We'll turn it into a winning streak. Why not?" said O.J. Mayo,
who had 19 points as the Grizzlies shot 48.8 percent against the
Timberwolves.

They can start by avenging a 113-110 road loss to Los Angeles on
Nov. 7.

Rudy Gay scored a season-high 33 points and Zach Randolph added
19 against his former club, but the Grizzlies lost for the
eighth time in 11 games to the Clippers (4-8), who are coming
off a 110-102 loss at New Orleans on Tuesday.

Gay is averaging a team-high 20.5 points this season and 28.1 on
53.8 percent shooting in his last seven games versus the
Clippers.

The Grizzlies could have guard Jamaal Tinsley available for this
contest. Tinsley, who signed on Saturday, hasn't played in the
NBA since Feb. 5, 2008 with Indiana, but was ordered to stay
away from the club while still under contract.

He averaged 10.4 points and seven assists in seven seasons with
the Pacers.

Los Angeles' Chris Kaman had 26 points against Memphis earlier
this month. The 7-footer is averaging a career-high 21.8 points
with 8.8 rebounds this season.

Al Thornton scored a team-high 30 on Tuesday for the Clippers,
who have lost four of five since winning three in a row.
Averaging 7.4 points in his first eight games - including a
six-point effort against the Grizzlies - Thornton is pouring in
19.3 in his last four contests.

Los Angeles will be without reserve guard Kareem Rush, who tore
the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee Tuesday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134996-Clippers-Grizzlies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134996-Clippers-Grizzlies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:31:58 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies officially waive Iverson]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies officially have ended
their relationship with Allen Iverson by waiving the 10-time
All-Star.

The Grizzlies announced Monday they had mutually agreed to end a
one-year contract with the former league MVP.

But the team did not waive Iverson until late Tuesday afternoon.

Iverson began an indefinite leave of absence on Nov. 7 to deal
with a personal issue. The 34-year-old guard played only three
games with Memphis, all in California. He averaged 12.3 points
and 22.3 minutes coming off the bench in each.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134824-Grizzlies-officially-waive-Iverson</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134824-Grizzlies-officially-waive-Iverson</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:48:31 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies, Iverson part ways after only 3 games]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- The Allen Iverson experiment with the
Memphis Grizzlies is over.

Memphis announced Monday that the team has ended its one-year
contract with the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP in what
it called a mutual agreement. Iverson began an indefinite leave
of absence on Nov. 7 to deal with a personal issue after playing
only three games with the Grizzlies, all in California.

"Because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team
on November 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time,
allowing him to focus on those matters," general manager Chris
Wallace said in a statement. "As a result, we will be ending our
contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties
to move forward. We wish Allen the best."

The Grizzlies will waive Iverson but the team had not done that
as of Monday night.

Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not immediately return a message
left by The Associated Press on his cell phone. Iverson, who
announced he was headed to Memphis on his Twitter account,
hasn't posted any updates there since Nov. 2 when he played his
first game with the Grizzlies.

Memphis owner Michael Heisley told the AP last week he would be
happy to trade Iverson to another team if a better deal came
along.

Few NBA teams had shown interest in the 34-year-old guard before
Memphis signed him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract on
Sept. 10. Memphis fans greeted the biggest star ever to play for
the Grizzlies with a big crowd for his introductory news
conference and eagerly bought up his No. 3 jersey, though he
wound up never playing a game on the team's home court.

Iverson didn't help himself much during his short stint with his
fourth NBA team. He missed the preseason with a partially torn
left hamstring and didn't debut with the Grizzlies until Nov. 2
at Sacramento.

Immediately, Iverson began talking about his distaste for coming
off the bench and being on a rebuilding team filled with youth
from Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo to recent draft picks Hasheem
Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll.

The four-time NBA scoring champ became the 16th player in league
history to score 24,000 points in his career in his second game
against Golden State. He played against the Lakers in Los
Angeles, where he also met with Heisley before being given
permission to take an indefinite leave.

But the Grizzlies got tired of waiting for Iverson to decide
what to do next.

They signed point guard Jamaal Tinsley on Saturday for some
much-needed help with the Grizzlies struggling at 2-8 this
season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134525-Grizzlies-Iverson-part-ways-after-only-3-games</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134525-Grizzlies-Iverson-part-ways-after-only-3-games</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:33:58 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies sign former Pacers PG Tinsley]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies signed point guard
Jamaal Tinsley on Saturday, adding a player with a checkered
past and a 1 1/2-year layoff to their troubled team.

The Grizzlies announced the signing in a press release before
their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tinsley was
bought out by the Indiana Pacers in July, but has not played in
the NBA since the middle of the 2007-08 season. He was still
under contract with the Pacers, but told to stay away from the
team last season.

In his seven seasons with Indiana, Tinsley averaged 10.4 points
and seven assists. The assists average puts him seventh among
active players.

Tinsley's signing comes as the Grizzlies are in limbo regarding
the length of Allen Iverson's absence. Iverson, who signed with
the team in September, is away for an indefinite length of time
to deal with personal matters.

General manager Chris Wallace said the Iverson situation was not
a factor in the decision.

"We had decided to move on this front regardless of what happens
with Allen," he said. "It was an opportunity to bolster the
position, and get a real proven commodity."

Tinsley was in Memphis earlier Saturday for a workout. He was
already on the Grizzlies' roster, but listed as inactive for the
Timberwolves game. He's expected to be with the team and begin
practice Monday.

"Jamaal was the best available player out on the board," Wallace
said. "Secondly, he's a veteran. We're a young team. He's a
proven commodity as a playmaker."

Memphis, 1-8 entering Saturday night's game, ranked last in the
league last season with 17.4 assists per game and is 21st this
season with an 18.8 average.

While his talent as a playmaker is a plus, Tinsley has been in
trouble during his career. There was a bar room scrap, and the
6-foot-3 guard was the target of a drive-by shooting before the
Pacers broke ties with him. Wallace said the Grizzlies checked
on those matters and acknowledged that Tinsley was part of a
Pacers team in disarray at the time.

"He wants to be back (in the league)," Wallace said, adding that
despite the layoff, Tinsley has remained in shape and his weight
is below what it was when he last played with Indiana.

Tinsley was originally drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies with
the 27th pick in the 2001 draft, but a series of draft night
trades landed him in Indianapolis.

Mike Conley, the fourth pick in the 2007 draft, is the current
starter, and is averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 assists. His backup
is Marcus Williams. Wallace said no promises were made to
Tinsley about playing time or starting, only that he will be
able to compete for the position.

Conley, who wasn't aware of the signing until after the game,
said he doesn't feel any added pressure, noting that he has
dealt with such questions whenever Memphis signs a player that
seems destined for Conley's point guard position.

"I want to start and want to go out and play my best ball,"
Conley said. "But I'm a team player. Whatever it takes to win.
If I come off the bench, and it makes our team better, that's
what it will be. If I have to compete as a starter, I can do
that, too."

Adding a point guard seems to be a change in direction for
Memphis, which had the second pick in the draft and chose
7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut. In doing so, Memphis
passed on guards such as Tyreke Evans of Sacramento, Jonny Flynn
of Minnesota, Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee and Ty Lawson of
Denver.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134003-Grizzlies-sign-former-Pacers-PG-Tinsley</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134003-Grizzlies-sign-former-Pacers-PG-Tinsley</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:47:23 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies end 7-game skid, Wolves' skid at 10]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies doubled their win
total for the season and extended the Minnesota Timberwolves'
misery.

Marc Gasol scored 17 points and matched his career high with 16
rebounds, and the Grizzlies snapped a seven-game losing streak
with a 97-87 victory over the Timberwolves on Saturday night.

Minnesota lost its 10th straight.

"It was a big win for us," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said.
"We lost seven in a row in every kind of way. (Minnesota) was a
team that was struggling like us, which meant that there was an
opportunity for one of us to come away with a win."

Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo led Memphis with 19 points apiece, and
rookie Sam Young had a season-high 15 on 7-of-11 shooting. Mike
Conley added 10 points and seven assists.

Gasol hit all eight of his shots from the field, but neither
team did well from 3-point range. Minnesota missed 14 of its 15
shots, while Memphis was only slightly better at 2 of 14.

Corey Brewer scored 16 points for Minnesota, while Ryan Gomes
and Ryan Hollins each finished with 15. Reserve Ramon Sessions
added a season-high 13 points and eight assists, while rookie
guard Jonny Flynn scored 10 points but was 5 of 14 from the
field.

"We wanted to do a good job of protecting our paint, and it
didn't happen in critical parts of the game," Minnesota coach
Kurt Rambis said. "It's kind of who we are as a team. We do
things well in pockets."

Memphis built its largest lead of the game at 14 near the midway
point of the fourth quarter, and still held the advantage with
3:42 left on Gasol's 10-footer.

Memphis then weathered seven unanswered points from the
Timberwolves, capped by Flynn's drive with 2 minutes left. That
cut the lead to 87-80, but Memphis was able to hang on for its
second win of the season.

"We sat down as a team and had a long discussion about what we
needed to do to get better," Conley said. "One was to be
mentally prepared before the game, and then go out there and
work as hard as we can. Everybody from the first guy to the last
guy come in there with 100 percent effort. That's what wins
games."

The teams played even during the first half, neither reaching a
double-digit advantage. There were 13 ties and nine lead changes
in the first two quarters.

Gay had 11 for Memphis, and Gasol's 10 included a hook with 4.3
seconds remaining in the half that left the teams tied at 45.

Brewer scored 11 for the Timberwolves, connecting on five of his
10 shots as Minnesota shot 51 percent.

Memphis, meanwhile, shot 50 percent, and that included Zach
Randolph missing all five of his shots. But the Grizzlies were
hindered by 12 turnovers that contributed to 17 Minnesota
points.

"The first half, we came out and we were running sets and
playing pretty well," Brewer said. "In the third quarter, we had
a letdown. That's how it's been going all season."

Memphis has struggled in the third quarter throughout the
season, outscoring opponents only once. Against Minnesota, the
Grizzlies were able to win the period 23-18, carrying a 68-63
lead into the final 12 minutes.

"We wanted to come out aggressive and set the tone early,"
Conley said of the change in attitude for the third. "We thought
if we could do that, we could give ourselves some breathing
room."

The Grizzlies' fourth-quarter start was capped by Young's
three-point play, giving Memphis the first double-digit cushion
for either team.

Like Memphis, the Timberwolves are young and still learning to
execute as a team. They are playing without key frontline
players Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, and adjusting to the first
season under Rambis' leadership.

"We have to know our mistakes. Good shots versus bad shots,"
said Minnesota's Hollins, in his fourth year out of UCLA. "We
might have to run through a little more. We're definitely
learning as a team."

And for a change, Memphis was able to celebrate.

"We'll turn it into a winning streak. Why not?" Mayo said

NOTES: Memphis signed former Indiana Pacer G Jamaal Tinsley
earlier Saturday. He's expected to join the team early next
week. Minnesota has not won since opening night, when it beat
New Jersey 95-93. Both teams were without two of their bigger
name players. Memphis G Allen Iverson was not with the team.
Meanwhile, Jefferson did not travel to Memphis. Both teams cited
personal issues as the reason for the absences. Love, who is out
with an injured left hand, originally was drafted by the
Grizzlies. He was sent to the Timberwolves in a draft night
trade that led to Mayo landing in Memphis.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134077-Grizzlies-end-7-game-skid-Wolves-skid-at-10</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/134077-Grizzlies-end-7-game-skid-Wolves-skid-at-10</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:14:03 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Timberwolves-Grizzlies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

Minnesota (1-8) at Memphis (1-8), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Back home following their worst defeat of the season, the
Memphis Grizzlies will try to snap a seven-game losing streak
Saturday night.

Facing a Minnesota Timberwolves team that's dropped nine in a
row could help.

Looking to avoid its worst start since opening 0-13 in 2002-03,
Memphis (1-8) returns to FedEx Forum for a two-game homestand
following Wednesday's 104-79 loss at Houston.

The Grizzlies trailed by five at halftime but were outscored
31-19 in the third quarter en route to their seventh straight
loss since a 115-107 victory over Toronto on Oct. 30.

"(The Rockets) did everything they wanted to do to get the win,"
coach Lionel Hollins said following his team's most lopsided
loss since falling by an identical score at Minnesota on March
11. "Their will was stronger than our will."

Memphis lost all three meetings with the Timberwolves in 2008-09
and four straight to them since a 113-101 victory in Minneapolis
on April 6, 2008.

With 24 wins or fewer the past three seasons, the Grizzlies were
hoping to get a boost with the offseason signing of Allen
Iverson, but the 10-time All-Star guard, who averaged 12.3
points in three games as a reserve with his new club, has missed
the last three games due to "personal reasons."

The team has not announced when, or if, Iverson will return.

Memphis, though, may have Hasheem Thabeet available Saturday
after the rookie center had a ridgeline fracture in his jaw
repaired Wednesday. The second overall pick in the 2009 draft
was injured in Tuesday's 93-79 loss to Portland following a
collision with teammate Zach Randolph.

The extra help up front could be a boost against Minnesota,
which will be without forward Al Jefferson for the second
straight game. Jefferson, who leads the Timberwolves (1-9) with
15.1 points per game, missed Friday's 89-77 loss to Dallas due
to the death of his grandmother on Thursday.

Making his second start of the season, Timberwolves center Ryan
Hollins scored five points and grabbed six boards before getting
ejected for picking up two technicals in the third quarter.

"(The Mavericks) came out determined at the start of the third
quarter and then after Ryan got ejected, they went on these
runs," said Timberwolves first-year coach Kurt Rambis, whose
team has lost nine straight since a season-opening victory over
New Jersey on Oct. 28. "This team is just not experienced enough
to control those situations."

Rookie point guard Jonny Flynn had 11 points and Ryan Gomes,
Nathan Jawai and Corey Brewer added 10 apiece as Minnesota
missed 14 of 17 3-point attempts and shot a season-low 32.6
percent from the field.

The Timberwolves will look to improve that effort against the
Grizzlies, who have one of the league's worst defenses -
allowing 111.1 points per game with opponents shooting 50.0
percent.

Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, scoring a career-best 20.7 points,
averaged 14.3 on 34.1 percent shooting versus Minnesota in
2008-09.

O.J. Mayo, selected third overall by the Timberwolves in 2008
before getting traded to Memphis in a draft-day deal, averaged
20.3 points and 4.7 assists against Minnesota last season.

The Timberwolves look to avoid their second consecutive 0-5
start on the road.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133761-Timberwolves-Grizzlies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133761-Timberwolves-Grizzlies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:11:58 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Scola has double-double, Rockets beat Memphis]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By CHRIS DUNCAN
AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON(AP) -- Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman ripped his team
after a sluggish first half against Memphis on Wednesday night.

The Rockets got the message and then routed the lowly Grizzlies.

Luis Scola had 22 points and 15 rebounds and Carl Landry scored
20 points in the Rockets' 104-79 victory. Trevor Ariza scored 17
points, Kyle Lowry had 10 assists, and rookie Chase Budinger had
15 points for the Rockets, who've won the last seven meetings
against Memphis in Houston.

Houston led by five at halftime, and Adelman wasn't happy.

"Coach gave us a good talking to and we all got into each
other," Lowry said. "This is the type of game where we said,
'Let's show what kind of team we're going to be.' And we
responded really good."

The Rockets opened the second half with a 16-5 run, forcing
turnovers and repeatedly beating the Grizzlies down the floor
for easy baskets. Memphis missed seven of its first nine shots
in the third quarter before O.J. Mayo's three-point play cut it
to 59-46.

But the Rockets seemed to chase down every loose ball after the
break and took a 74-57 lead to the fourth. Memphis went 7 for 20
from the field in the third quarter and gave up nine fast-break
points.

"If we play like we played in the third quarter," Scola said,
"we're going to be able to beat anybody."

Mayo scored 19 points, and Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph added 18
apiece for the Grizzlies, who've dropped seven straight games
overall.

The Rockets matched a season high with 30 assists, finished with
27 fast-break points and shot 50 percent from the field (44 of
88).

"They did everything they wanted to do to get the win," Memphis
coach Lionel Hollins said. "Their will was stronger than our
will."

The Rockets saved their best highlights for the final quarter.

Lowry led a fast break early in the quarter and flipped a pass
to Ariza for an alley-oop dunk, prompting the loudest cheer of
the night. Lowry picked up a steal on the Grizzlies' next
possession and found Scola for a layup and an 82-62 lead.
Budinger converted another alley-oop pass from Lowry into a dunk
two minutes later.

"It was very contagious," Lowry said. "One guy gets a lob, the
next guy wants a lob, the next big guy wants to get a fast-break
dunk. We get the crowd into it and that's what happened tonight.
Once we got it going, we kept it going."

The Rockets led only 20-17 after an ugly first quarter for both
teams.

Houston had chances to build a wider margin early, but missed 12
of its first 16 shots from 3-point range. The Grizzlies also
stayed close by outrebounding the Rockets 26-19 in the first
half.

"At halftime, we talked about the fact that we didn't come out
with the energy we needed to," Adelman said. "The first half, we
didn't come out with a spark. The third quarter, we really
turned it on."

Both teams came into the game wondering when their respective
All-Star guards would be back in uniform.

Allen Iverson missed his third straight game after leaving the
team over the weekend for "personal reasons." Grizzlies general
manager Chris Wallace said he had "nothing new to report" on
Iverson's status or immediate future with the team.

Meanwhile, Houston's Tracy McGrady was on the bench in street
clothes after setting Nov. 18 as a "target" date for his return
from offseason knee surgery. The Rockets have said that there is
no firm timetable for McGrady's return.

NOTES: Hollins said C Hasheem Thabeet could possibly return for
Saturday's game against Minnesota after fracturing his lower jaw
in Tuesday's loss to Portland. Doctors repaired the ridgeline
fracture in Memphis on Wednesday, and Hollins said Thabeet may
not even wear a protective mouth guard when he returns. ...
Adelman earned his 865th career victory, breaking a tie with
former mentor Jack Ramsey for 11th place. ... Retired Rockets C
Dikembe Mutombo walked into the arena midway through the third
quarter and sat down in a front-row seat next to team owner Les
Alexander.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133116-Scola-has-double-double-Rockets-beat-Memphis</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/133116-Scola-has-double-double-Rockets-beat-Memphis</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:56:55 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies-Rockets Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JEFF MEZYDLO
STATS Senior Writer

Memphis (1-7) at Houston (4-3), 8:30 p.m. EDT

With or without Allen Iverson, the Memphis Grizzlies are not
playing very good basketball. Visiting the Houston Rockets might
not make things better.

Still without the former All-Star point guard, the Grizzlies
look to avoid a seventh consecutive loss - and their seventh
straight on the road against the Rockets - on Wednesday night.

With Iverson still away from the team because of personal
reasons, Memphis (1-7) lost 93-79 at home to Portland on
Tuesday. The Grizzlies are off to their worst start since losing
eight of their first nine in 2005-06.

Iverson's absence continues to cast a shadow over a club that's
0-5 on the road and allowing 112.0 points per contest overall.

Signed in the offseason, Iverson missed the first three games
with a torn hamstring. He averaged 12.3 points in the three
games he played, but wasn't happy coming off the bench in each
game. He's missed the last two games and has reportedly returned
to his home in Atlanta.

"I'm trying to get (the Grizzlies) to a certain place," coach
Lionel Hollins said. "If we get to that place, and it's good,
then if Allen does come back, then obviously, he has to fit into
that place."

Tuesday's effort proved the Grizzlies are far from where Hollins
wants them. Marc Gasol had 20 points and O.J. Mayo added 17, but
Memphis shot 37.2 percent from the field in its eighth straight
loss to Portland.

Making matters worse, 7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet - the second
overall pick in this year's draft - suffered a fractured jaw
late in the first quarter. Thabeet had four points and 11
rebounds in seven games. It's unclear when he'll return.

Gasol has been one of the few bright spots for the Grizzlies.
After averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds during his rookie
season, the 7-footer is posting 16.0 points and 11.3 boards per
contest through eight games.

Though Mayo averaged 17.5 points in four games against Houston
as a rookie last season, he was held to 20 on 9-for-33 shooting
in two road contests versus the Rockets.

Houston (4-3) looks to bounce back from a 121-103 loss at Dallas
on Tuesday. Aaron Brooks had 22 points and Carl Landry scored 19
as the Rockets fell for the second time in three games after
winning three in a row. Houston led by as much as 17 but hit
only 5 of 22 shots in a decisive third quarter.

Trevor Ariza entered the contest averaging a team-leading 20.2
points, but he was held to a season-low nine.

"We took quick shots," said Brooks, who's averaging 18.9 points
this season, but 8.5 in four career games against the Grizzlies.
"We got out of sync in our offense."

While Houston star Tracy McGrady won't make his season debut in
this contest, he could be close to returning after undergoing
microfracture surgery on his left knee in February.

"He's been able to practice and doesn't have the pain he had
last year," said Rockets coach Rick Adelman, who was quick to
dismiss a report that said McGrady planned to return against
Minnesota on Nov. 18. "He still has a long ways to go as far as
running the court and moving defensively."

Though it gave up a season high point total Tuesday, Houston is
holding Memphis to an average of 87.7 and 41.2 percent shooting
during its six-game home winning streak in the series.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132917-Grizzlies-Rockets-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132917-Grizzlies-Rockets-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:49:35 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Roy and Aldridge help Blazers beat Grizzlies]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- A second half burst and a stronger defensive
effort sent the Portland Trail Blazers off to a good start on
their five-game road trip.

Brandon Roy scored 20 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 points
and 12 rebounds, and the Trail Blazers won their third straight
with a 93-79 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday
night.

"This means a lot for us as far as momentum goes, and as far as
chemistry goes," Aldridge said of starting a stretch where
Portland plays five games in seven days. "I think we did a great
job of making our chemistry better."

Steve Blake and Greg Oden had 14 points each for Portland, all
of Oden's coming in the second half.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 20 points, while O.J. Mayo scored
17.

The Grizzlies, who dropped their sixth straight, still were
without guard Allen Iverson, who left the team last weekend,
with owner Michael Heisley's blessing, after playing three games
on the West Coast.

Memphis center Hasheem Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick in last
year's draft, suffered a fractured jaw late in the first quarter
when he collided with the head of teammate Zach Randolph (11
points, 12 rebounds).

The Trail Blazers have now won eight straight in the series.

Portland broke open the game with a 14-1 run in the third period
erasing a Memphis lead. The Grizzlies never really threatened
after Portland rebuilt the lead to double digits on Oden's dunk
with 10 minutes left in the game. Oden, who was in foul trouble
in the first half, made a difference after intermission.

"I was only in there about 4 minutes," Oden said of the first
half, "so there wasn't enough time for me to establish myself. I
think guys kept looking for me, and I'm thankful for that."

Randolph's layup with 13.6 seconds left in the half tied the
game at 45.

Neither team held a lead of more than 6 in the half. There were
seven ties and 13 lead changes before the break.

Aldridge had 12 points to lead the Trail Blazers, while Roy had
10 at intermission. The pair was a combined 9-of-11 from the
field.

Gasol had 12 points for Memphis.

Portland eventually put together the 14-1 rally, extending the
Trail Blazers lead to 67-55, their largest advantage of the game
at that point. Memphis was struggling from the field, hitting
only four of its first 16 shots in the quarter.

"We just had an awful stretch," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins
said. "Four turnovers, a missed shot and then a couple of
breakdowns defensively. We just lose our concentration and focus
for that short period of time, and the next thing you know,
we're down 10 points."

The Grizzlies were able to whittle away at the lead, and Gasol's
3-point play with 6.3 seconds left in the third quarter, cut the
Portland advantage to 69-61 entering the fourth.

Memphis made only 31 percent of its shots in the second half,
committed seven turnovers and allowed Portland to run
successfully.

"In the second half, we held them to 34 points, and were able to
get out and get some easy baskets," Portland coach Nate McMillan
said. "In the first half, we had zero fastbreak points. In the
second half, we ended up with 10."

Notes: Memphis last defeated Portland on March 29, 2007. ...
Portland has won 25 straight games over NBA teams that start
with the letter M (Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee and Minnesota). ...
Travis Outlaw's tip at the end of the first half was ruled to
have come after the horn. Officials reviewed the play before
letting the ruling stand. ... Memphis is 1-7 and off to its
worst start since 2005-06 when the team started 1-8. ... Someone
asked Mayo about the officiating, and he shook his head. "No
comment. Gotta save my money." ... Randolph posted his fifth
straight double-double. ... The Trail Blazers connected on nine
3-pointers, while Memphis made only one of its 10 from outside
the arc. Opponents have made more 3-pointers than Memphis in
every game this season.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132877-Roy-and-Aldridge-help-Blazers-beat-Grizzlies</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132877-Roy-and-Aldridge-help-Blazers-beat-Grizzlies</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:13:22 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies center Thabeet breaks jaw]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- Memphis Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem
Thabeet, the second overall pick in the June draft, left Tuesday
night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a broken
jaw.

The 7-foot-3 center from UConn was injured late in the first
quarter during a battle under the Memphis basket. Replays
appeared to show Thabeet's jaw colliding with forward Zach
Randolph's head.

Thabeet had just entered the game a minute earlier.

Thabeet was playing in his seventh game of the season. He had
scored four points and grabbed 11 rebounds in his previous six
games, and also recorded six blocks.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132861-Grizzlies-center-Thabeet-breaks-jaw</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132861-Grizzlies-center-Thabeet-breaks-jaw</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:18:51 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[AI is MIA]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MEMPHIS, Tenn.(AP) -- Former All-Star guard Allen Iverson wasn't
around Tuesday night as the Memphis Grizzlies returned home
after a disappointing 0-5 road trip to face the Portland Trail
Blazers.

Iverson, an off-season signee, left the Grizzlies last weekend
for personal reasons. He received permission from Memphis owner
Michael Heisley for the extended leave and reportedly returned
home to Atlanta.

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins addressed the issue in a lengthy
interview before the Portland game and, he is approaching the
situation as if he is not returning "because who knows how long
it is going to be."

The absence means Memphis fans, who were excited by the
September signing of the four-time NBA scoring champ, still have
not seen Iverson in a Grizzlies home uniform.

Hollins would not discuss the specific reasons of Iverson's
departure, acknowledged that it has been a distraction, and
worries what happens if the Grizzlies move forward and Iverson
returns. He also said he wasn't going to debate the issue of
communication with the star.

"I don't want to get into a he said-she said with Allen
Iverson," Hollins said calmly. "Allen has his own interpretation
of things. I know the truth. He knows the truth. What I would
like to do is let Allen handle his (personal) issues, make a
decision on whether he's coming back or not and concentrate on
what we have to do as a team, both if he's not here and if he is
here."

Iverson missed the pre-season with a partially torn left
hamstring. When Memphis left for a five-game West Coast tour
after its only win a 115-107 over Toronto on Oct. 30 he was
still nursing the injury.

The 6-foot guard saw his first action at Sacramento on Nov. 2,
playing 18 minutes and scoring 11 points. But he came off the
bench, and did not start over the next two games, leading to
nightly grumbling about his role, how the team was using him and
that he is not designed to come off the bench.

Heisley finally came to Los Angeles last weekend to try and
mediate the matter, eventually granting permission for Iverson
to take leave.

He hasn't been seen since, and The Commercial Appeal, citing
anonymous sources, has reported he may be contemplating
retirement.

Whether the controversy has been a distraction seems to be a
matter of interpretation. "I've been through tougher things in
my life," Memphis forward Rudy Gay said. "What Allen Iverson
does, doesn't bother me."

Hollins said, however, that the situation has weighed on the
team, particularly when Iverson complained about not starting.
The Memphis coach said such comments are unfairly directed at
Iverson's teammates as if he is questioning their ability.

The question of starting and Iverson's role reportedly was
discussed during a meeting in Atlanta with the Grizzlies brass
before the signing. Hollins took issue with questions about
whether they did their homework about what could happen by
bringing Iverson in.

"People have indicated that we didn't tell him this, or we
didn't tell him that," Hollins said. "Every detail that needed
to be addressed was asked."

But at this point, with Iverson gone, rumors about retirement
and the guard's obvious displeasure with his role before the
leave of absence, Hollins said the team must move forward. If
Iverson returns, the coach is concerned how he will fit in and
whether any strides in the interim could be negated by another
complaint from Iverson.

"I'm trying to get (the Grizzlies) to a certain place," Hollins
said. "If we get to that place, and it's good, then if Allen
does come back, then obviously, he has to fit into that place.

"Too much has been said about starting, not starting. I think
what we have to do is find out where he best fits."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132855-AI-is-MIA</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132855-AI-is-MIA</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:58:22 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Trail Blazers-Grizzlies Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BECKER
STATS Senior Writer

Portland (4-3) at Memphis (1-6), 8:00 p.m. EDT

After opening the season injured and with Memphis spending the
first week of November on the road, Allen Iverson was expected
to make his home debut for the Grizzlies on Tuesday night
against the Portland Trail Blazers.

This no longer looks like it will happen with the 10-time
All-Star taking an indefinite leave to deal with a personal
matter.

At least for the Grizzlies, this Iverson controversy is taking
some of the focus away from the team's poor play.

With Iverson likely out, Memphis tries to avoid losing its sixth
consecutive game when it hosts a Trail Blazers team looking to
win its third straight with a new lineup.

The Grizzlies (1-6) signed Iverson to a one-year,
incentive-laden deal in September hoping the four-time scoring
champion could provide a spark off the bench and offer
experience to a young roster filled with players like Rudy Gay,
O.J. Mayo and Michael Conley. The franchise was also hoping a
big-name attraction could help attract fans for a team that
finished 24-58 last season.

Iverson opened the season recovering from a partially-torn left
hamstring and made his Memphis debut in a 127-116 overtime loss
at Sacramento on Nov. 2. He averaged 12.3 points in 22.3 minutes
in three games for the Grizzlies, but left the team to return
home before Saturday's 113-110 loss to the Clippers.

The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported Monday that Iverson is
contemplating retirement.

"I'm not in Allen's head. I don't know what he's thinking,"
Memphis owner Michael Heisley said.

"I know he went back to take care of a personal problem. Whether
he does something else, I don't know. I'm hoping he comes back."

Heisley would love to see Iverson playing for the first time in
Memphis on Tuesday, but did not put a timetable on his return.

With Iverson's status in question, the Grizzlies will likely
have to rely on the core of Gay, Mayo and Conley.

Gay scored a season-high 33 points against the Clippers but
missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer for
Memphis, which went winless on a five-game trip.

The Grizzlies, who haven't won since beating Toronto on Oct. 30,
have lost seven straight to the Trail Blazers since a 96-92
victory March 29, 2007.

Portland (4-3), which is opening a five-game road trip, has won
two in a row since switching to a three-guard lineup featuring
Brandon Roy, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. The Blazers defeated
San Antonio 96-84 on Friday and beat Minnesota 116-93 on Sunday.

Against the Timberwolves, Portland finished with a season high
in points and had a season-best 35 assists, led by Roy's seven.

"Having two point guards on the floor makes it easier when I run
the floor. I know one of those two guys is going to see me,"
said forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who had 19 points and 10
rebounds. "When you run the floor and you get the ball I think
it makes you feel like you're doing it for a good reason."

Coach Nate McMillan's new offense looks to continue its
production against a Memphis team allowing an average of 120.0
points on 51.6 percent shooting during its skid.

Roy averaged 22.3 points in four games against the Grizzlies
last season and is trying to bounce back from a two-point effort
Sunday - his lowest output since Nov. 10, 2006, when he failed
to score in seven minutes against New Orleans.

"Guys were making plays and I didn't need to score," said Roy,
who averaged 25.2 points in his first six games.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132649-Trail-Blazers-Grizzlies-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132649-Trail-Blazers-Grizzlies-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:46:19 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Grizzlies owner: Not sure of Iverson's plans]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer

Memphis owner Michael Heisley says he is not sure of what Allen
Iverson's future plans are, though he hopes Iverson returns to
the Grizzlies soon.

Heisley granted the 10-time all-star permission Saturday for an
indefinite leave to deal with a personal matter. The Commercial
Appeal newspaper reported Monday that Iverson is contemplating
retirement.

"I'm not in Allen's head. I don't know what he's thinking,"
Heisley told The Associated Press on Monday.

"I know he went back to take care of a personal problem. Whether
he does something else, I don't know. I'm hoping he comes back.
I think he could still play for us, somebody else, what have
you. In my opinion, there's two, three years of outstanding play
that could come out of Allen Iverson."

Leon Rose, Iverson's agent, did not immediately return a message
left at his office Monday.

However, Heisley said the 34-year-old Iverson is struggling
playing at what the guard feels is less than his previous best.

Iverson, who signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal in
September, missed the preseason with a partially-torn left
hamstring. He made his Grizzlies' debut on the road a week ago
in California, playing in three games at Sacramento, Golden
State and in Los Angeles with the Lakers.

Iverson averaged 22.3 minutes coming off the bench, and he hit
57.3 percent of his shots. He averaged 12.3 points per game for
the Grizzlies (1-6).

Heisley said he spent two days in California talking with
Iverson and hopes his biggest star can get his personal life in
order. He would love to see Iverson playing for the first time
in Memphis on Tuesday night when the Grizzlies host Portland,
but Heisley said he did not put any timetable on his return.

If Iverson returns, Heisley said the challenge for the Grizzlies
and the guard is figuring out how to use him to meet the team's
needs and those of the veteran. The Grizzlies are young with a
roster filled with players like Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo and Michael
Conley who need to start and play to keep growing.

They also need the scoring Iverson can provide. Heisley noted he
is the one who pushed for Iverson to sign with Memphis and
thinks that can happen once they find the right spot for the
guard.

"He is a lock-in to be a Hall of Famer, and that is always
difficult for someone who has been at that level to basically
maybe to play at less than that level. I'm hoping we can work it
out," Heisley said.

From the moment Iverson signed with Memphis, the question has
been whether the four-time NBA scoring champ and 2001 Most
Valuable Player could be happy coming off his worst season yet.
Rumors of what is next have swirled since he flew home from Los
Angeles.

Heisley said he won't trade Iverson to get rid of the guard but
would if a better deal and fit came up. Heisley thinks Iverson
has some decisions to make.

"I'm sure he'll be making them. But I've not had any discussions
with him concerning some of the reports or rumors that are going
around, that just fly around the NBA with Allen. Somebody with
his popularity, it's open season," Heisley said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nba]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132569-Grizzlies-owner-Not-sure-of-Iversons-plans</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nba/news/132569-Grizzlies-owner-Not-sure-of-Iversons-plans</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:26:07 GMT</pubDate>
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