It was supposed to be a big night in Memphis.
Future Hall of Fame guard Allen Iverson was set to make his home debut for the
Grizzlies Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Instead, the 10-
time All-Star is taking an indefinite leave from the team and reportedly
considering retirement.
Iverson was clearly unhappy with his role coming off the bench and left the
Grizzlies on Saturday, citing personal reasons. The team gave Iverson
permission to fly from Los Angeles to his offseason home in Atlanta to deal
with the problem and no timetable for his return was set.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal then reported Iverson was mulling over calling
it quits.
The mercurial guard, in his first year with the Grizzlies, missed the first
three games of the season with a hamstring injury before returning. He came
off the bench in each of his three appearances with the club and is averaging
12.3 points with 3.7 assists while playing just over 22 minutes a game.
On the floor Memphis continues to struggle mightily and just finished a five-
goad road trip winless when Chris Kaman led a balanced Clippers attack
with 26 points and nine rebounds, as Los Angeles held on for a 113-110 victory
over Memphis on Saturday.
Rudy Gay led all scorers with 33 points but missed a potential game-tying
three-pointer at the buzzer. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol each recorded
double-doubles, with Randolph scoring 19 points to go with 12 rebounds and
Gasol ending with 10 and 13 in defeat.
Mike Conley, who has been starting over Iverson, went for 16 points and six
assists for the Grizzlies.
"We had our chances to make plays," Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins said.
"We just had a few negative possession, some turnovers and a couple of lapses
on defense."
The Blazers, who are kicking off a five-game road trip of their own tonight,
are coming off a second straight win since implementing a three-guard starting
lineup that includes veteran Andre Miller along with All-Star Brandon Roy and
Steve Blake.
Miller scored 21 points on Sunday to lead Portland in a 116-93 rout of the
Minnesota Timberwolves.
LaMarcus Aldridge notched 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Blazers while
Travis Outlaw scored 19 off the bench. Jerryd Bayless had 12 points in a
reserve role and Greg Oden finished with 11 points and four boards.
"We're just trying to get a rhythm," said Miller. "The main thing is that we
don't want to dig ourselves a hole early. Hopefully everybody is developing a
sense of urgency."
Portland, which has won seven straight over Memphis, will also visit
Minnesota, New Orleans, Charlotte and Atlanta on its trek.
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