Grizzlies-Timberwolves Preview

By TAYLOR BECHTOLD

(AP) -- On the verge of the longest win streak in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have continued to play solid defense and feed the ball inside on offense.

That successful formula doesn't bode well for the low-scoring Minnesota Timberwolves, who are one of the NBA's worst teams at defending in the paint.

The visiting Grizzlies look to extend the Western Conference's longest current run to nine Friday night and beat the league-worst Timberwolves for the 18th time in 21 meetings.

Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and reserve Kosta Koufos combined for 51 points to help Memphis (37-12) outscore Utah 46-36 in the paint Wednesday and match the team's best win streak with a 100-90 road victory.

The Grizzlies' streak is their longest since taking eight in a row Feb. 8-27, 2013.

"Being consistent and not being satisfied," Gasol said about the run. "To win on the road, especially against a team like this with their size, is out of the ordinary ... you have to play defense and you have to get back."

The Southwest Division leaders are among the league's best with 47.1 points in the paint per game while allowing 39.9.

Memphis held a 58-34 advantage in the lane in a 105-101 season-opening win over the Timberwolves at home Oct. 29. Gasol had a season-high 32 points and Randolph scored 25 with 13 boards in that one.

Randolph, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday, has averaged 19.8 and 13.5 over his last 13 games.

The Grizzlies have won 30 of 33 when Randolph scores at least 12 and are in good position to extend that dominance against Minnesota, which ranks near the bottom of the NBA with 47.2 paint points allowed per game.

The Wolves (9-40), however, are getting healthier as they try to win back-to-back games for the first time since last April. Ricky Rubio had nine assists in Wednesday's 102-101 victory over Miami in his second game back from an ankle injury.

"I was out for almost three months," said Rubio, who missed 42 games. "I know my game is a little bit different. I've just got to get used to my teammates and know where they're at."

Kevin Martin scored 30 in his best performance in five games since returning from a broken wrist, while Shabazz Muhammad could be back Friday after missing the past 14 because of a strained oblique.

Thaddeus Young has raised his play with 17.1 points per game over his last seven, and the veteran forward has averaged 21.8 over his past four versus Memphis dating to his time with Philadelphia.

The Wolves ended a three-game losing streak Wednesday despite getting outrebounded 47-32 - including 15-3 on the offensive glass. They also were beaten 47-33 on the boards by Memphis in the first meeting.

Minnesota shot 51.4 percent against the Heat following a 1-9 stretch in which it averaged 90.1 points on 41.5 percent shooting.

The Wolves will likely have a difficult time building on that effort against Memphis, which has allowed 85.9 points per game and 41.0 percent shooting during its streak.

The Grizzlies will be without reserve Vince Carter due to a left foot tendon injury, while Tony Allen (hamstring, ankle) and Beno Udrih (sore right calf) are trying to play through their ailments.