Grizzlies' glue bonds with chemistry

[La Bomba]

Not since a year before FedExForum opened its doors in 2004 have the Griz displayed such symmetry. It's been nearly four years since the Griz have been this relevant and respectable on the NBA landscape.

 

For the first time since their 2005-06 campaign, the Griz own a record (23-19) above .500 at the midway point of a season.

 

Memphis' recipe for staying on this roll?

 

The Griz not only have convenient amnesia about their 1-8 start, the Allen Iverson Era and general pessimism from the hometown crowd, but they believe that their future success is predicated on forgetting about whatever happened the day before.

 

"We've just been building as the season has progressed," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "That is what you like to do during the season, to keep building and getting better."

 

After losing eight of their first nine games, the Griz have been among the hottest teams in the NBA. Only the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers have a better record since Dec. 1.

 

Memphis has won 22 of its past 33 games, and is one of only four teams with a double-digit, home winning streak. The Grizzlies' franchise-record, 10-game winning streak in FedExForum has -- in many ways -- played out like their season.

 

They've routinely beaten teams with less talent, won close games and stunned several of the NBA's elite.

 

"I think we're starting to get a little more respect," forward Zach Randolph said. "Teams are starting to look at us like we're not an easy win. Coaches are telling their players that they have to come out and play hard."

 

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jan/24/grizzlies-first-half-report-team-glue-bonds-with/

[La Bomba]

1: Memphis is the only NBA team with three players (Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo) averaging at least 18 points per game.

 

4: The Griz (23-19) are four games above .500 this late in the NBA season for the first time since the end of the 2005-06 season, when the team finished 49-33

 

5: Memphis has five winning streaks of three games or more this season. The Griz had a combined total of three winning streaks of at least three games in the previous three seasons (2006-09).

 

10: The Grizzlies have won at FedExForum in their last 10 outings, which is a franchise record.

 

21: Memphis is 21-11 since waiving Allen Iverson on Nov. 17.