Gameday: Wolves vs. Memphis

Last update: April 6, 2008 - 12:37 AM

Preview: This is the first of two meetings between the teams in six days, ending with Saturday's game in Memphis. ... The Grizzlies are 5-6 in their past 11 games. Two of those victories have been over the New York Knicks. ... The teams lost Friday by almost identical scores: The Grizzlies lost 117-86 to Golden State in Memphis; the Wolves lost 117-88 in Phoenix. ... This time last year, rookies Corey Brewer and Mike Conley, Memphis' starting point guard, were about to face each other in the NCAA championship game, which Brewer's Florida team won over Conley's Ohio State club 84-75. ... The Grizzlies' 109-80 victory over the Wolves on Dec. 1 at FexEx Forum was their most lopsided victory of the season. The Wolves won the rematch 98-95 at Target Center two weeks ago.

Player to watch: Memphis second-year forward Rudy Gay is a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. His 20.1 scoring average is 9.3 points higher than his rookie season. That's the highest scoring increase in the NBA this season. Three of the past four players who had the league's highest scoring increase won the award: Zach Randolph in 2004, Boris Diaw in 2006, Monta Ellis in 2007. Gay has scored 30 or more points 11 times this season and is on pace to become the first second-year player to average 20-plus points since LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony all did in the 2004-05 season. The Grizzlies selected Gay with the eighth pick in the 2006 draft, one selection after Randy Foye.

Injuries: Wolves point guard Sebastian Telfair remains out because of a sprained ankle sustained March 7 at Sacramento, and the clock is ticking on his return. Only seven games remain in a regular season that ends April 16. Memphis reports no injuries.

JERRY ZGODA