Grizzlies stumble along without Gasol

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Life without Marc Gasol has been difficult for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Now a franchise that was one step from the NBA Finals last season is fighting to stay out of the Western Conference basement, with a 12-15 record and a seemingly endless list of injuries.

That’s one reason the team’s current two-game winning streak – including Monday’s 104-94 victory over the Utah Jazz – is a welcome burst of good news. It’s the first time the Grizzlies have won two straight in more than a month.

“It’s good to feel good and they deserve to feel good because they’ve been working hard in practice and in games,” Memphis coach Dave Joerger said. “Maybe the wheels on the train are starting to roll for us.”

Climbing in the Western Conference has been difficult without Gasol, the NBA’s reigning defensive player of the year who is also averaging 16 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

Memphis has a 5-10 record since Gasol limped off the court against San Antonio on Nov. 22 with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Joerger said on Monday that he didn’t know when the 7-footer would be back in the lineup. Gasol is off crutches, but he hasn’t returned to practice.

That’s another reason the Grizzlies aren’t getting too giddy about the past two wins, which have come against the Knicks and Jazz. Those two teams have a combined 17-41 record.

“We’re not going to pat ourselves on the back just yet,” Memphis guard Tony Allen said. “Coming in, playing teams like New York and Utah, I believe we’re supposed to get those wins. We did a good job of doing that and now we’ve got a big test against the Houston Rockets (on Thursday). Those are the ones we need to climb up in the standings.”

Gasol’s absence has been the Grizzlies’ most glaring problem, but injuries to Mike Conley, Tayshaun Prince and Allen have contributed to Memphis’ slow start.