Bulls aim to gore struggling Grizzlies

The Grizzlies, who are in last in the Southwest division with nine wins, have lost three of their last four games and suffered a 116-110 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at FedEx Forum.

Mike Miller netted 23 points and dished out seven assists, and Pau Gasol scored 20 points in the loss. Memphis went 2-3 on a five-game homestand and has lost seven in a row on the road.

Memphis is also an NBA-worst 2-16 as the visitor this season. Grizzlies forward Stromile Swift (back spasms) is questionable for Saturday’s game at Chicago.

The Bulls, meanwhile, have lost three straight and will resume their three- game homestand this evening. Chicago, which is three games off the lead in the Central Division, opened the homestand with an 86-83 loss to New Jersey on Thursday.

Andres Nocioni had 28 points and Ben Gordon scored 23 for the Bulls, who are 15-5 at home this season. Kirk Hinrich added 19 points and 10 assists, but his long shot at the buzzer was blocked by Bostjan Nachbar as time expired. Chicago will close out the stand on Monday versus San Antonio.

Bulls big center Ben Wallace (back spasms) is probable against Memphis.

Saturday’s game between Memphis and Chicago is the first of two meetings this season. The home team has won three straight and 10 of the last 12 in the series.

Chicago has won three of the last four matchups with Memphis, which has dropped two straight and five of its last six trips to the Windy City.