Sixers finish homestand vs. Grizzlies

Posted: Wed Feb 11 10:32 AM

(Sports Network) - The Philadelphia 76ers hope to close a long homestand out on a positive note tonight, when the road-challenged Memphis Grizzlies enter the Wachovia Center in the first meeting between the teams this season.

The Sixers' seven-game residency did not start off well, as the club dropped back-to-back tests to fellow Atlantic Division members New Jersey and Boston on January 31 and February 3. Philadelphia has ripped off three straight wins since, however, and is coming off an impressive 108-91 decision over Phoenix on Monday.

Thaddeus Young deposited 25 points and rookie Marreese Speights scored a career-high 24 to lead the 76ers, while Andre Iguodala contributed 22 points and seven assists on the evening.

Philadelphia's three-game win streak has coincided with the news that standout forward Elton Brand will miss the remainder of the season with a torn labrum that limited the prized offseason acquisition to just 29 games. His absence has led to extended playing time for Speights, who shot 11-of-16 from the field on Monday and is averaging 19.5 points over the past two contests.

Memphis will play the first of three straight road tests tonight and enters the trek with some momentum, having won four of its first five games to begin the month of February. In their most recent outing, the Grizzlies took advantage of an injury-plagued New Orleans squad and delivered an 85-80 victory over the Hornets Monday at FedEx Forum.

The Grizzlies set a franchise-record by pulling down 64 rebounds and got a terrific performance from rookie star O.J. Mayo, who finished with 22 points and 16 boards. Hakim Warrick also posted a double-double for Memphis with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Mike Conley added 18 points and eight assists in the win.

Memphis played Monday's matchup without forward Rudy Gay due to a left hip flexor strain. The third-year-pro, who ranks second on the team with an average of 18.8 points per game, is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break.

The Grizzlies, who will also visit Utah and Portland on this stretch, are an unwanted 3-18 on the road this season. However, Memphis did record a win in its last away tilt, a 113-97 triumph at lowly Washington on February 2.

Memphis has lost in each of its last three trips to the Wachovia Center, and Philadelphia has taken three straight and five of the last six encounters between the teams.