Zach Randolph a big key to Grizzlies success
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When you consider how well the Grizzlies have played this season — they started 21-4 — losing three of five to begin the new year was a modest slump. Then came the trade for Jeff Green on Jan. 12, which has helped stabilize the small forward position. Green is averaging 12.9 points in eight games with Memphis, which is 7-1 with the 28-year-old in the lineup. Other positives have coincided with the trade, most notably Zach Randolph averaging 19.6 points (59.2 percent shooting) and 13.1 rebounds in 10 games since returning from a nine-game absence for a right knee injury. The Grizzlies are 8-2 in those games. Overall, the Grizzlies are 29-7 with Randolph in the lineup and 4-5 without him. Memphis improved to 33-12 after a 109-90 win at Dallas on Tuesday, good for second in the West, and hosts Denver tonight (8 p.m. ET) in the first game of a doubleheader on TNT.
