Grizzlies try to set new franchise mark

Memphis’ latest victory came on Wednesday, as Mike Miller tied a season-high with 22 points and dished out five assists to lead the Grizzlies to their sixth straight win, 103-90, over the Atlanta Hawks.

Earl Watson, filling in again for the injured Jason Williams, scored a season- high 20 points to go along with nine assists and six rebounds. He has 23 assists over the past two games.

Pau Gasol collected 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win, as the Grizz moved four games above .500 for the first time in franchise history. The team also matched their franchise-best winning streak, which was set last season.

Williams has missed five straight games with a strained back muscle and is doubtful for tonight’s affair. .

Memphis, which is 8-0 mark when it leads after three quarters, has won five of its last seven road games and is 6-5 away from home this season.

Miami, meanwhile, also enters tonight’s tilt on a high note after Brian Grant scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Heat to a 92-72 win over Phoenix on Tuesday.

Dwyane Wade also tallied 18 points for the Heat, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Lamar Odom posted 16 points and a career-high 17 boards while Eddie Jones contributed 15 points for Miami, which held a commanding 51-30 edge on the backboards.

The Heat, who won for just the third time in their last 10 games, posted their largest margin of victory this season and in the process held the Suns to a season-low point total

Miami forward Caron Butler was back in the lineup and scored seven points. He had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left knee October 4 and returned to the team on November 8, but then re-injured the knee in a November 21 game against Golden State and had not played since.

The Heat, who improved to just 2-9 against Western Conference teams this season, are 5-4 at home this season and will close a four-game homestand tonight.

Memphis won both matchups with the Heat last season and could have the upper hand tonight, as the road team in this series has won six of the last eight meetings. The Grizzlies, though, have won two straight and three of their last four in South Florida.