Pelicans-Grizzlies Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON

(AP) -- Marc Gasol's high-scoring performance led the Memphis Grizzlies to another win on their successful homestand, and he had an even better showing against the New Orleans Pelicans earlier this season.

The Grizzlies center will try for a repeat when his team wraps up its six-game stay at FedExForum with Monday's rematch versus New Orleans.

Gasol scored 37 points in a 103-95 victory against New York on Saturday, lifting Memphis to 4-1 on its season-high homestand. Jeff Green chipped in 18 and has a combined 34 on 13-of-24 shooting in the past two games.

"(Gasol has) got to be like that every night," forward Matt Barnes said. "Marc's one of the best centers in the league. We go as he goes. We're a little short-handed right now with Mike (Conley) being out. He's a great passer but sometimes he's too unselfish. We want Marc to have these kinds of nights every night."

The Grizzlies (23-19) have also won eight of their last nine on their own floor even with Conley missing the past five of those games because of a sore left Achilles. Conley is considered doubtful for Memphis' attempt at a third consecutive win over New Orleans (13-26) and its third in a row at home in the series.

Gasol had a career-high 38 points and a season-best 13 rebounds in a 113-104 road victory against the Pelicans on Dec. 1.

"They've been playing well. It's definitely going to be a good challenge for us. They beat us on our home court so we definitely want to go in there and try to get that game back," Pelicans guard Norris Cole said. "(Gasol) is playing at an extremely high level. They pose a challenge for us, but I think we'll be up for it."

New Orleans is heading into Memphis seeking to match its season-best three consecutive wins Nov. 20-25.

The Pelicans have shown improved ball movement, averaging 28.0 assists, in its back-to-back victories and have shot a combined 46.7 percent from 3-point range. Ryan Anderson went 6 of 8 from beyond the arc while scoring a season-high 32 points Friday against Charlotte but the Pelicans needed Anthony Davis' dunk with two seconds left for a 109-107 victory.

"They've got some explosive guards and obviously Anthony Davis, an MVP-caliber player," Grizzlies swingman Tony Allen said. "We're going to have to make it another defensive, grind-it-out type game and try to make those guys uncomfortable."

After the trip to Memphis, New Orleans will begin a seven-game homestand Tuesday.

"This is our chance to get ourselves back in the playoff race," coach Alvin Gentry said. "If you look at the past dozen games or so, we've been very competitive and they've done everything that I've asked them to do."

The Pelicans' 109-97 win in Sacramento on Wednesday was their fourth road victory in nine games since their 1-12 start there. They haven't won back-to-back games away from home since April 1-3.

Former University of Memphis star Tyreke Evans had 20 points and 10 assists in the latest matchup with the Grizzlies. He's averaging 19.6 points in his last five meetings but was held to 10 in a 110-74 rout in New Orleans' most recent visit to Memphis on April 8.