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- Suns forward Luis Scola is returning to the starting lineup for the first time since Nov. 17, a span of 11 games. Scola takes the place of Markieff Morris, less because of Morris’ play than the impending matchup against Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph according to coach Alvin Gentry. “I don’t want to see him (Morris) pick up two quick fouls,” Gentry said. “I want to be able to use him in the first and the second quarter.”
- Suns point guard Goran Dragic, who missed the team’s 98-90 loss to Orlando on Sunday because of the flu, will start against Memphis, giving Phoenix its fourth different starting lineup in as many games.
- Gentry said too much focus is being placed on forward Michael Beasley, who scored three points in 15 minutes against the Magic in his second game off the bench. “We highlight him too much, I think. He’s just another player trying to fit in and help the team the best they can. No one ever said he’d come in here, change everything and that would be it. At this point, he just needs to play.”
- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, an Arizona State graduate, wasn’t overly impressed to hear the first triple-double in Sun Devils history had been recorded on Saturday. “If I’d have known it was that big a deal I would have gotten one,” Hollins said. “We talk about a guy getting a double-double … that’s what he’s supposed to do.”
– Jonathan Dalton
