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Sonics aim to snap eight-game slide

Jan 18, 2008 - 2:58 PM Seattle (9-29) at Memphis (10-28) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Seattle SuperSonics and Memphis Grizzlies are both mired in lengthy losing streaks, so something has to give in this one.

Seattle seeks its first triumph in eight games on Friday when it visits Memphis, which is riding a five-game slide.

The SuperSonics registered their most recent setback, a 123-92 loss to the New Orleans Hornets despite receiving 20 points from rookie Kevin Durant.

"We definitely got off to a slow start and we couldn't recover," Seattle forward Chris Wilcox said. "It made a big difference down the stretch."

Seattle has dropped the last two meetings against Memphis, including a 125-108 decision on November 19.

The Grizzlies had an opportunity to end their slide but came up short with Tuesday's 132-123 overtime setback to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rudy Gay led the charge with 30 points in the loss.

Memphis rookie guard Mike Conley continues to make strides since first-year coach Mark Iavaroni inserted the 21-year-old into the starting lineup on January 2. Conley has reached double figures six times in eight career starts.