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Heat Vs. Grizzlies Preview: Miami Looks To Run Down A Tired Memphis Team

The Miami Heat are riding high after a win against Oklahoma City. Can they sustain that momentum against a Memphis team playing their fifth game in six days?

By Tim Blank
April 4, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) in the first period at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE
April 4, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) in the first period at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

After losing three straight games, the Miami Heat have won their last two including a thrilling 98-93 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. They face a Memphis Grizzlies team on Friday that finds itself scrapping for every win they can muster to help their playoff chances while fighting fatigue.

Following his 41-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, Lebron James scored 34 points with 10 assists and seven rebounds. He seems to have recovered well from the slump that he was in during the teams recent three-game losing streak. Dwyane Wade added 19 points after sitting out the Philadelphia win with a sore left knee.

What could play into the Heat's favor is that this will be the fifth game in six days for the Memphis Grizzlies who are 2 and-a-half games ahead of ninth place in the Western Conference. They are coming off a 10-point loss to the defending champion Dallas Mavericks, so fatigue could potentially play a part in the Grizzlies' effort. If Miami can get out and run the floor, they could tire out the Grizzlies fairly easily and could take control of the game early.

The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tip off from American Airlines Arena in Miami. Television coverage will be provided by Sunshine Sports.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.