Philadelphia @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 4, 2017 ) Memphis 110, Philadelphia 89

The Philadelphia 76ers have been taking care of business against many of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference and now set their sights on one of the lesser squads in the West when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Consecutive wins over Toronto, Boston and Milwaukee propelled the Sixers into the sixth spot in the conference standings, just 3 1/2 games behind third-place Cleveland.

"(Coach Brett Brown) mentioned that we could jump to sixth (in the Eastern Conference) if we won," guard Ben Simmons told reporters after Saturday's 116-94 rout of the Bucks. "Obviously, it was a big game, and we did a really good job of closing it out." All-Star Joel Embiid led the way during the three-game run by averaging 29.7 points and 12 rebounds as Philadelphia improved to 8-2 since a five-game losing streak right before Christmas. The Grizzlies had won three straight of their own prior to dropping a 111-104 decision in New Orleans on Saturday despite a career-high 31 points from Wayne Selden. They've won four in a row and six of their last eight at home.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE 76ERS (22-20): With JJ Redick already out with a leg injury and fellow guard Jerryd Bayless unavailable Saturday due to a sore wrist, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot made the most of a rare start with 16 points while making 3-of-5 3-pointers. "It was a big opportunity for me to show up and step up," Luwawu-Cabarrot told reporters. T.J. McConnell continues to step up in the backcourt as well and he has scored in double figures in four straight games for the first time this season.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (16-29): Memphis started Saturday's game without guards Andrew Harrison (shoulder) and Mario Chalmers (shoulder) and lost starting forward JaMychal Green to an ankle injury after he had grabbed 16 rebounds in only 24 minutes. A 16-point deficit after one quarter also made for a rough night, but coach J.B. Bickerstaff was pleased with his team's effort. "I can't say enough positive things about what our guys did tonight. They competed against all odds, all circumstances," J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters. "We just decided it wasn't going to be an easy night for the other side when it very well could have been after getting down in the first half. Again, nothing but a lot of respect and a lot of credit to our guys for their makeup and fortitude."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Memphis is 2-12 against Eastern Conference opponents, compared to 14-17 versus the West.

2. Embiid scored at least 21 points in eight of his last nine games.

3. The Grizzlies won both meetings last season while holding the Sixers to an average of 95 points.

PREDICTION: 76ers 108, Grizzlies 105