Grizzlies, Rockets meet at Toyota Center

The Grizzlies are tied with the Clippers for the fifth spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

Memphis, which will appear in the playoffs for a third straight year, concludes a brief two-game road trip. On Wednesday, Eddie Jones scored 16 points to lead the Grizzlies over the Bobcats, 96-88, at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.

Chucky Atkins, All-Star Pau Gasol and Mike Miller all scored 15 points for the Grizzlies, who have won five of their last six games overall. Lorenzen Wright finished with 12 points and six rebounds in the victory.

The Grizzlies, who host the Clippers on Tuesday at the FedExForum, are 17-22 on the road this season. Memphis concludes its regular season on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.

Houston enters tonight’s contest on a three-game losing streak. On Wednesday, Mark Blount scored 16 points as Minnesota knocked off the Rockets, 82-79, at the Toyota Center.

Rafer Alston ended with 17 points in the loss to the Timberwolves for the Rockets, who have dropped six of their last seven games overall. Juwan Howard netted 15, while Stromile Swift scored 13 and Chuck Hayes pulled down 10 rebounds in defeat.

The Rockets, who will visit the Denver Nuggets on Monday at the Pepsi Center, are 15-24 at home this season. They wrap up their season on Wednesday at home against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Grizzlies have won two of the three contests between the clubs this season. They have lost five of their last seven at Houston.