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Without Gasol, Grizzlies host Jazz

Feb 2, 2008 - 3:35 PM Utah (29-18) at Memphis (13-33) 8:00 pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) - The Memphis Grizzlies begin life without Pau Gasol on Saturday when they host the Utah Jazz.

Gasol, the Grizzlies second-leading scorer at 18.9 points per game and their top rebounder at 8.8 boards, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in exchange for center Kwame Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Memphis also received the draft rights to Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol's younger brother, while Los Angeles got back a second-round pick in 2010.

The Grizzlies, who lost their last game, 106-102, to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, are mired in yet another dismal campaign, having lost 23 of their last 30 games and currently own the fourth-worst record in the NBA.

The Jazz, conversely, are the hottest team in the league and are aiming for their eighth straight victory on Saturday after continuing their winning streak with a 96-87 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Utah has outscored its opponents by nearly 12 points over its win streak, vaulting into first place in the Northwest Division - one game in front of the Nuggets.