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Grizzlies-Pistons Preview

Jan 26, 2010 - 7:12 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Memphis (24-19) at Detroit (15-28), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies' big turnaround has come on the strength of one of the best runs at home in the NBA this season.

The Grizzlies, though, have been unable to carry that success to the road, and they will be looking to snap a three-game slide away from home Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons.

Memphis (24-19) lost eight of its first nine games - a stretch that includes a season-opening 96-74 defeat to Detroit on Oct. 28 - and was 10-15 on Dec. 16. The Grizzlies, though, have since won 14 of 18 overall and 11 in a row at FedEx Forum.

A 99-94 victory over Orlando on Monday night extended their franchise-record home win streak, which tied the longest such run in the league this season. The Grizzlies also matched their win total of last season with 39 games remaining.

Power forward Zach Randolph had 23 points and 19 rebounds against the Magic as he continued to lead the way for Memphis. Randolph has averaged 24.5 points and 13.7 rebounds over the last 18 games and scored at least 20 points in his previous seven contests.

"It feels great," forward Rudy Gay told the league's official Web site. "Being through some of the bad seasons and now being able to get these wins early feels great. ... People respect us now."

Memphis' improvement, however, has not extended to the road. The Grizzlies are 7-14 there and have lost three straight for the second time this season.

They came close to ending that slide in their last two road contests but lost in the final seconds to Charlotte and New Orleans.

A matchup with struggling Detroit could be what Memphis needs to earn its first road win since Jan. 5, but the Pistons (15-28) could have Ben Gordon and Will Bynum back on the court Wednesday.

Gordon has not played since Jan. 11 because of a slight tear in his groin, and Bynum's ailing left ankle has kept him out since Dec. 27. The players will be game-time decisions for a Pistons team that went 4-16 in its last 20.

Detroit opened a season-high six-game homestand with a 92-86 victory over Boston on Jan. 20, but dropped its two games since. The Pistons fell behind by double digits after one quarter in both losses.

Richard Hamilton tried to help his team overcome the latest slow start Saturday night, finishing with 25 points against Portland. Detroit took a one-point lead with 1:27 remaining on Hamilton's 3-pointer, but failed to score again in a 97-93 defeat.

"I don't know what it is," forward Charlie Villanueva said. "I can't really put my finger on it, but we showed a lot of fight in that second half, which is encouraging."

Hamilton had 25 points and Gordon scored 22 off the bench in the Pistons' season-opening victory, their eighth win in nine meetings with Memphis.

Detroit is 10-3 all-time versus the Grizzlies at home, but lost 89-84 at The Palace on March 15 as it failed to score in the final 2:12.

Mike Conley sparked Memphis' rally with six of his team-best 20 points in the final four minutes.