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Division leaders clash when Raptors visit Memphis

Jan 21, 2015 - 3:27 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of division leaders collide on Beale Street Wednesday with the Memphis Grizzlies set to host the Toronto Raptors.

The Southwest-leading Grizzlies are 1-1 on a five-game homestand and are looking to rebound from Monday's 103-95 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Mike Conley scored 22 points, Marc Gasol added 20 and Zach Randolph recorded a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki got eight of his 21 points in a game-ending 14-4 run and the Grizzlies missed nine of their last 10 shots.

"He's been doing that his whole career," said Randolph, in reference to Nowitzki's late-game scoring. "As a team, we have to do a better job of not allowing him to get to his sweet spots."

Randolph has recorded six straight double-doubles and 11 in his last 12 games.

Memphis, which had a four-game winning streak stopped, shot 42.4 percent for the game and couldn't build on Saturday's 102-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Grizzlies are still 8-4 in the last 12 games and will also welcome Philadelphia and Orlando to FedExForum on this homestand. They are 16-5 as the host this season.

Toronto will continue a three-game road trip Wednesday and kicked off the sojourn with Monday's 92-89 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kyle Lowry led six players in double figures with 18 points, Terrence Ross had 16 and Lou Williams netted 15 points. Jonas Valanciunas recorded 11 points and 13 rebounds, while Amir Johnson and Greivis Vasquez scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Raptors.

"I think we needed this type of win tonight," said Lowry. "The fact that it was competitive, it wasn't a blowout, it was a good game. We did a good job of handling the pressure."

DeMar DeRozan, who recently missed 21 games (12-9) with a groin injury, finished with zero points and four assists in 26 minutes.

The Atlantic-leading Raptors won for the third time in the last 10 games and improved to 11-7 on the road. They will close the road swing Friday at Philadelphia.

Lowry is averaging 24.2 points on the road this season.

Toronto posted a 96-92 victory over Memphis on Nov. 19 at Air Canada Centre and was led by DeRozan's 21 points. Gasol ended with 22 points and 12 rebounds in that one for Memphis, which is winless in the last three meetings with Toronto.