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Gasol returns to Memphis as Lakers take on Grizzlies

Dec 22, 2008 - 3:37 PM LA Lakers (21-5) at Memphis (9-17), 8:00pm EST

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Having lost two straight for the first time all season, the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Grizzlies on Monday night as forward Pau Gasol suits up against his former team.

The Grizzlies provided the missing piece to the Lakers' puzzle last February, sending Gasol and a future second-round pick to Los Angeles in exchange for a collection of role players, prospects and picks. Widely considered a lopsided trade, the deal helped propel the Lakers to the top of the West standings.

With league MVP Kobe Bryant finally paired with a legitimate No. 2 scoring option, the Lakers earned home-court advantage and advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to Boston. Now the Grizzlies get a first-hand look at their one-time All-Star, as Gasol makes his first game back at FedEx Forum.

Gasol is still recovering from a bout with strep throat that forced him to miss one game last week against the Knicks. He returned just in time to see the Lakers' first losing streak of the season, falling to the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic on back-to-back nights.

The Lakers' road trip continues in Memphis and will conclude the following day against the New Orleans Hornets. Monday's game will also be Gasol's first professional head-to-head meeting against his brother Marc, the Grizzlies' rookie center. Marc Gasol, who was a part of last February's trade as well, is averaging 10.8 points and 6.8 boards in his first NBA campaign.

The Grizzlies were on a bit of a hot streak before suffering a pair of recent setbacks. They had won four of five before falling in a close contest to the Hornets. After a two-day layoff, they were blown out, 112-83, by the Charlotte Bobcats.