Grizzlies on the prowl in Emerald City

This is the third and final meeting of the season between the squads. The teams split the first two contests.

The clubs have split the last four meetings in Seattle, while Memphis has captured four of the last six contests overall in the series.

Memphis has won two in a row and plays the fifth of a six-game road trip this evening. On Thursday, Tarence Kinsey poured in 20 points as the Grizzlies edged the Portland Trail Blazers, 96-92, at the Rose Garden.

Hakim Warrick scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while rookie Rudy Guy also netted 18 for the Grizzlies, who have won two in a row for the first time this season. Pau Gasol finished with 17 points and eight boards in the victory.

The Grizzlies are a league-worst 7-30 on the road this season. They will visit the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at ORACLE Arena.

Seattle tries to win its third straight game, as it opens a short two-game homestand. J.R. Smith’s deep heave at the buzzer drew back iron, giving Seattle its second victory in as many nights, 100-97 over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

One night after storming back from a 25-point deficit to knock off Minnesota, the SuperSonics held off Denver behind 33 points and 10 rebounds from Rashard Lewis. Nick Collison recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds for Seattle, which has won three of its last four games overall and is five games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff berth in the Western Conference.

The SuperSonics are 19-17 at home this season. They will host Allen Iverson and the Nuggets on Sunday at KeyArena.