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Grizzlies and Hornets jockey for playoff position in the Big Easy

Apr 1, 2011 - 3:05 PM (Sports Network) - A pair of Southwest Division rivals striving to reach the playoffs get together tonight, as the New Orleans Hornets take on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in the Big Easy.

New Orleans and Portland are tied for the sixth spot in the West, while the Grizzlies are clinging to the eighth and final postseason spot in the conference -- just three games ahead of Houston with seven to go.

The Hornets opened a five-game homestand with a 95-91 victory over Portland on Wednesday and received 21 points from Carl Landry and 16 points out of Marco Belinelli. Emeka Okafor had 15 and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul contributed 11 points and dished out 12 assists for New Orleans, which won for the eighth time in 12 tries and improved to 25-11 as the host.

"If we can finish like this for the rest of the year, I'll be pleased," said Hornets head coach Monty Williams.

Williams' squad will also host Indiana, Houston and Phoenix on the current homestand and is in the midst of playing 10 of 13 games at New Orleans Arena.

The Grizzlies are coming off back-to-back wins over San Antonio and Golden State, and recently handed the Warriors a 110-91 setback at FedEx Forum on Wednesday.

Zach Randolph recorded his 51st double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds for Memphis, which won for the fifth time in six tries. Tony Allen and Mike Conley scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, in a winning effort.

"We control our own destiny," Allen said. "We want to win as many as we can."

Darrell Arthur ended with 17 points in the victory. Memphis will now put its below average 15-23 road record to the test.

New Orleans has won two of the first four meetings with Memphis this season and is 5-2 in the previous seven matchups between the two teams. Memphis has lost 10 of 11 and 12 of its last 15 visits to the Big Easy.