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Suns and Grizzlies meet in Memphis

Nov 8, 2010 - 3:56 PM (Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try and avenge a tough double- overtime loss in Phoenix last week when they welcome the Suns to FedEx Forum on Monday.

Phoenix, which will be closing a quick two-day southern tour tonight, downed the Grizz 123-118 in the desert on Friday when Jason Richardson poured in 38 points and came up with an incredible three- point bank shot, and the tying alley-oop bucket as part of a crazy finish to regulation.

In a wild conclusion, the Grizzlies squandered a chance to finish the game when O.J. Mayo hit two free throws with 3.7 seconds left for a 98-94 difference, but Richardson banked in a long three-point try with 1.1 seconds to go.

After a Memphis timeout, Rudy Gay inbounded the ball off the back of Phoenix's Grant Hill. Gay got the ball and the clock ran out, but officials huddled at the scorer's table, and upon video review officials determined Gay was fouled by Steve Nash with 0.4 seconds remaining. Gay missed the first foul shot and the accidentally made the second one.

That left the Suns one last chance following a timeout. Hill inbounded the ball and delivered a perfect pass to the rim for a wide open Richardson, who directed the ball around the rim and through.

"Well we knew we worked on that play at practice all the time, the end of the game situation, and (Hill) threw a great pass," Richardson said. "He's known for great passes. He threw one to Christian Laettner to win the game (in the NCAA Tournament), so he threw a great pass up there and I almost missed the lay-up, but I'm glad it went in."

The Grizzlies fell behind by five early in the second overtime and never recovered.

Most recently Phoenix stunned the previously unbeaten Hawks in Atlanta on Sunday when Nash's last-second free throws iced the game for the Suns as they defeated the Hawks, 118-114.

Nash ended the game with 19 points and 15 assists, while Richardson chipped in a team-high 21 points in the win, Phoenix's second straight.

"I'm just going out there and being aggressive on the floor and trying to help this team win games," Richardson said. "I've had good seasons before, where I've averaged 22 points a game, but we were losing. It just feels good to be a part of a winning team."

The Grizzlies, who are opening up a three-game homestand tonight, salvaged the finale of their recent four-game west coast trip with a 100-91 win over Sacramento on Saturday. Gay finished with 32 points and nine rebounds in that one.

Zach Randolph ended with 20 points and 11 boards for Memphis, which finished the trip 1-3. Mike Conley and Mayo each scored 14 points in the win.

"We really needed this win," Mayo said. "We wanted to win one going back home for a nice home stretch and take the energy back home."

The Grizz will finish their residency with games against Dallas and Boston.

Phoenix has won 14 of the last 17 meetings in the series, including last week's thriller.