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Mayo looks to get on track when Grizzlies host Magic

Oct 31, 2008 - 10:53 AM Orlando (0-1) at Memphis (0-1) 8:00 p.m. EDT

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The Memphis Grizzlies have to be happy with a pair of new pieces. The biggest addition in the offseason, however, left a lot to be desired in the season opener.

Rookie O.J. Mayo and the Grizzlies look to bounce back on Friday when they take on the Orlando Magic in their first home game of the new campaign.

Mayo, who was the third pick in June's NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves before being traded to Memphis later that night, had 10 points and made 5-of-20 shots from the field during Wednesday's 82-71 loss to the Houston Rockets.

The Grizzlies had hoped that Mayo's production would at least equal that of fellow rookies Marc Gasol and Darrell Arthur. Gasol, who was acquired last season in the trade that sent brother Pau to the Los Angeles Lakers, had 12 points and 12 rebounds while Arthur added 11 and 15 in 27 minutes off the bench.

The Magic are also hoping to rebound from an opening night loss after dropping a 99-85 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Orlando's downfall against the Hawks began with what was arguably its biggest strength last season - 3-point shooting. Following a campaign in which the team made over five threes in every single regular-season game en route to an NBA record, the Magic were a paltry 4-for-25 from beyond the arc. It was the first time in 83 games that the team did not sink at least five threes.