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Struggling Celtics, Grizzlies face off in Boston

Dec 6, 2006 - 4:48 PM Memphis (4-13) at Boston (5-11) 7:30 pm EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Boston Celtics both are struggling and their coaches are on the hot seat.

Each riding a three-game losing streak, the teams will face off at the TD BankNorth Garden on Wednesday.

After making the playoffs last campaign, Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello is not in any better shape with his squad owning one of the worst records in the Western Conference, coming off a road loss to the lowly New York Knicks.

In the first game of a three-game road trip, Hakim Warrick scored 19 points and Chucky Atkins contributed nine and 11 assists for the Grizzlies, who shot 43 percent (43-of-76) in a 98-90 loss to the Knicks, falling to 1-9 away from home.

With coach Doc Rivers on shaky ground with a demanding fan base, the young Celtics have not played well this season.

After a season-high three-game winning streak, Boston has lost five of six. On Monday, Ryan Gomes and Tony Allen each scored 19 points for the Celtics, who shot 40 percent (29-of-72) from the field and dropped their third consecutive game, 100-81, to Chicago.

All-Star Paul Pierce was held to just eight points on 4-of-13 shooting.

The teams split their two contests last season, but the Celtics have won four of the last five against Memphis at home.