NBA schedule: Grizzlies and Kings face off for first time since controversial buzzer beater
Sacramento looks to avenge their earlier loss to Memphis as the Grizzlies gun for their fifth straight win.
Sacramento was on its way to a win over the Grizzlies, leading by one with 0.3 seconds to play, when Courtney Lee made a game-winning bucket as time expired. The Kings believed the shot shouldn't have counted, but NBA officials decided otherwise. The loss was another in what has been a rough 10-game stretch for the Kings. After starting the season 5-1, they've dropped six of 10.
Memphis, on the other hand, has the league’s best record at 14-2. They’ve won four straight and are unbeaten in 10 games against Western Conference foes.
DeMarcus Cousins missed the Kings' loss to the Spurs Friday night with a stomach virus, and it's unknown whether he'll play in Sunday's contest.
Let’s look at what else the NBA has to offer today.
The main course
Grizzlies at Kings, 6 p.m. ET
DeMarcus Cousins is questionable, but the Kings need him. In the loss to the Grizzlies in the teams' first matchup, Cousins had 22 points and 12 rebounds against Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. It wasn't just the bad luck on the Courtney Lee buzzer beater that hurt the Kings, they led by as many as 26 but couldn't close the game out. The Kings have gone 4-3 since the loss while the Grizzlies have stayed their consistent course, winning six of seven.
The appetizer
Derrick Rose will continue yet another comeback from injury against Brooklyn as Chicago closes out it's seven-game road trip, the longest one they'll face this season. The Bulls have gone 6-2 with Rose in the lineup, but 4-4 in games he's missed. The Nets have lost six of eight games, but, at 6-8, are currently eighth in the East standings. A Deron Williams-Derrick Rose might not be what it was three years ago, but it's still two exciting point guards who have the ability to take over a game.
The dessert
DeMar DeRozan is out indefinitely with a torn adductor tendon in his groin (although he hopes to be back in four weeks), but at least the Raptors get to test out their DeRozan-less lineup against the Lakers. The Raptors are deep, though: Lou Williams, Terrence Ross and Greivis Vasquez will be called upon to replace DeRozan's team-leading 19.4 points per game. It's a matchup of the East's best record against the West's worst. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are coming off a tough defeat to the Timberwolves where Kobe missed a good look from three that would have won the game.
The leftovers (All times ET)
Timberwolves vs. Trailblazers, 9 p.m.
