Memphis @ Orlando preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 1, 2017 ) Orlando 101, Memphis 99

The Memphis Grizzlies attempt to end a season-worst 12-game losing streak when they visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Grizzlies' woes continued with Friday's 108-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets while Orlando got a respite from its own struggles by notching a 115-106 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons to end a seven-game slide.

Memphis also lost 11 games earlier this season and the latest stretch of setbacks began after a victory over the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 29. The extended slump has seen the Grizzlies drop to the worst record in the NBA - the dubious honor the Magic would be holding if not for Friday's victory. Orlando's poor season is leading to speculation that coach Frank Vogel will be fired and the win over Detroit at least tentatively changed the focus. "We had a seven-game losing streak - those are never fun," center Nikola Vucevic said after having 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists against the Pistons. "Our season hasn't been going great but you don't want to be on losing streaks. This team has nothing to play for but we want to fight until the end and get as many wins as we can."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Southeast (Memphis), FS Florida (Orlando)

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-43): Memphis will likely be without leading scorer Tyreke Evans (19.4 average) for the fifth straight game due to a rib injury and backup shooting guard Andrew Harrison (wrist) could miss his second straight game. Memphis had just 10 available players for Friday's loss and interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff raved about the effort even though his team couldn't finish a strong fourth-quarter comeback bid. "It's a credit to the character of the type of guys that we have here," Bickerstaff said after the contest. "You can't say enough good things about the way these guys continue to battle under tough circumstances."

ABOUT THE MAGIC (19-43): Vucevic's strong outing was timely and he is averaging 17 points and eight rebounds in five games since returning from a broken hand. Power forward Aaron Gordon also excelled with 27 points and 13 rebounds versus Detroit and his scoring output was his highest since a 30-point outing against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 6. Rookie forward Jonathan Isaac had three points in 15 minutes off the bench, the first action the sixth overall selection has seen since Dec. 26 due to a recurring ankle injury.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. SF Evan Fournier recorded 22 points and eight rebounds as the Magic defeated the Grizzlies 101-99 on Nov. 1.

2. Memphis PF Jarell Martin has scored 16 points in each of the past two games.

3. Orlando PG D.J. Augustin scored a season-best 20 points and also recorded nine assists in the victory over Detroit.

PREDICTION: Magic 103, Grizzlies 99