The Wolves well know their opponent's pain tonight in Memphis: They were in the same spot about this time last year as the Grizzlies are tonight.

With as many as nine guys out injured recently, the Grizzlies are playing with four guys recently signed to 10-day contracts. They've received enough injury hardship exemptions to their roster that they don't have enough lockers for all their new guys.

Starters Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph all are out. So, too, are Vince Carter, Brandan Wright, P.J. Hairston, Jordan Adams. Carter and Lance Stephenson were called game-time decisions and it looks like Carter is out but Stephenson is available to play.

Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger is holding it together with chewing gum and baling and yet the Grizzles still are 39-28 and firmly headed to the playoffs.

"It's definitely interesting," Joerger said, "but guys are playing hard, trying to help each other and keeping their heads up. We just battle on."

The Wolves were down to just seven available players late last season and had to sign D League Sean Kilpatrick to a 10-day contract for a game at Madison Square Garden just to reach the league's minimum number of players needed for a game. They did so because he was the best prospect available who get in his car and drive to the game in time.

"It's a tough league, man," Wolves interim head coach Sam Mitchell said. "We were there last year. We had a bunch of guys out last year. Look who we have out now: Pek, no KG. All teams have their issues and injuries. We're no different than other teams, but you have to strap 'em up and play."

This is the Wolves' third game on a four-game trip that has taken them to OKC for a last-second victory, to Phoenix for a last-second loss and finishes Friday in Houston.