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Grizzlies aim to stop three-game slide

Dec 8, 2007 - 3:21 PM Memphis (6-13) at Atlanta (8-10) 7:00 pm EST

ATLANTA (Ticker) - The Memphis Grizzlies look to end their three-game road trip on a positive note when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Despite large contributions from Mike Miller, Pau Gasol and Rudy Gay, Memphis was unable to come through on Friday as it fell 118-116 to the New Orleans.

"They just finished up a little better then we did," Gasol said. "We will come back with pride (Saturday) and try and get one win on this road trip and build on that."

Drafted eighth overall last season, the 21-year-old Gay has been stellar in four games this month. The former Connecticut standout is averaging 24.7 points while shooting an impressive 57 percent (41-of-71) from the floor.

With Gay enjoying success on the offensive end, he will have to bring his "A" game on the defensive side as he battles with the Hawks' Joe Johnson.

Most recently, Johnson came up huge with his game-winning shot at the buzzer to gave Atlanta a 90-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. High-flying Josh Smith collected 28 points, seven blocks and seven rebounds in the win.

Johnson's numbers have taken dip some after averaging 25.0 points over 57 games last season en route to his first All-Star Game appearance.