The Memphis Grizzlies face the Los Angeles Lakers WATCH FREE Live Streaming Online NBA Game, Staples Center Sunday at 9:30 PM ET
While a crucial matchup in the desert looms, the visiting Grizzlies will first try to get by the last-place Lakers on Sunday night.
Memphis (47-32) is seeking a third straight win after knocking off Miami 107-102 on Wednesday and rolling past lowly Philadelphia 117-95 on Friday.
"It was not an easy game to play," said coach Dave Joerger, whose team shot 54.3 percent. "We have one eye on next week, but we know that every single game is a must-win game for us. Our focus was really good."
The Grizzlies will surely be tuned into Saturday night's matchup between Phoenix and Dallas, which can clinch one of two remaining spots in the West with a victory over the Suns. Memphis, which owns the tiebreaker over the Suns after taking each of the first three meetings, visits Phoenix on Monday before hosting Dallas in Wednesday's regular-season finale.
"At the end of the day, you depend on yourself," Gasol said. "That's all you want at this point in the season, to be under your control."
The Grizzlies have averaged 103.2 points and allowed 92.5 during a team record-tying 13-game home winning streak, but they haven't been nearly as formidable on the road. Memphis has dropped four of five away from home, a stretch during which it's scored 93.0 points per game while surrendering 102.2.
The Lakers (25-54) just set the single-season franchise record for losses with Friday's 112-95 defeat to Golden State. The 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers went 19-53 their 72-game season.
The Lakers have surrendered an average of 119.2 points in dropping each of their six games this month and are 4-15 since March 4.
"(We're) hanging in there a little bit," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "But again, they're up against some tough odds right now. You can feel it, and it's a little deflating, but (we'll) try to get it on Sunday."
The Grizzlies are looking to beat the Lakers twice on the road in the same season for just the second time, having done it in 2005-06.
The game will be live streaming online at www.nbalivestreamfree.net
