STATS/TSX -- The Portland Trail Blazers get a chance to personally thank the Memphis Grizzlies for their surprising contribution to the Northwest Division title chase when the clubs hook up Wednesday night in Memphis. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Grizzlies, who have an incentive to lose these days as they jockey for position entering the NBA Draft Lottery, shocked Northwest-contending Minnesota 101-93 on the road Monday night.
The loss in what had been expected to be a sure win basically knocked the Timberwolves (42-33) out of contention in the Northwest, as they now find themselves 4 1/2 games behind the Trail Blazers (46-28) with seven games to play.