Washington @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 13, 2017 ) Memphis 87, Washington 93

The Memphis Grizzlies are starting to pick up the pace offensively, but hanging with the Washington Wizards may be a tough task. The Grizzlies will try to slow a Wizards offense averaging 118.7 points during a three-game winning streak when they host Washington on Friday.

Memphis is 29th in the NBA in scoring at an average of 98.9 points but put up at least 105 points in each of the last four games, winning two of those contests. "Our success offensively comes down to shot selection and taking care of the basketball, along with our body movement and ball movement, so when we struggle in those areas, we end up doing things that we're uncomfortable doing," Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after finishing off a five-game road trip with a 113-105 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday. The Wizards seem plenty comfortable on the offensive end of late and are putting up an average of 116 points while winning five of their last six games. "I think just everybody is getting healthy," Washington point guard John Wall told the Washington Post. "Me, (Markieff Morris) getting healthy. Otto (Porter Jr.) getting back healthy. Brad (Beal) has been playing great for us. He's been MVP so far this season. ... Just look at the scoreboard any day, and if we have many more assists than turnovers, we end up winning the game."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Washington, FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (22-16): Wall and Beal combined for 52 points in Wednesday's 121-103 win over the New York Knicks, but the most surprising contribution came from center Marcin Gortat, who scored a season-high 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting. "I'm happy we won the game. That's the most important thing," Gortat told reporters. "It's just one game in the season, I guess, when I score like that. Let's talk after 10, 20 more games, and we'll see what's going to happen." Gortat scored in double figures just four times in 16 games in December, topping out at 12 points.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (12-26): Gortat will be matched up defensively on Friday against Memphis center Marc Gasol, who is struggling to carry the load for his team and totaled 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting in the last two games. Picking up the slack is guard Tyreke Evans, who averaged 24.6 points on 50 percent shooting on the five-game road trip and leads the team in scoring at 19.6 points. Gasol and Evans are two of the few players to remain healthy most of the season for the Grizzlies, with Evans' only missed game coming in a 93-87 setback at Washington on Dec. 13.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Beal is averaging 29 points on 60 percent shooting over the last three contests.

2. Grizzlies SF Chandler Parsons (knee) is expected to miss his third straight game.

3. Washington is aiming for its first win in Memphis since April 4, 2015.

PREDICTION: Wizards 113, Grizzlies 103