Portland, OR (My Sportsbook) - Two struggling squads coming off overtime defeats take the court this evening when the Portland Trail Blazers welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to the Rose Garden.

Portland suffered its third straight defeat on Sunday, dropping a 98-95 decision in the extra frame to the Los Angeles Lakers. The Blazers haven't won since opening their season with a victory over the Lakers.

Derek Anderson registered a team-high 24 points, while Damon Stoudamire and Rasheed Wallace added 16 apiece. The Blazers had no answer for Kobe Bryant though, as he posted 33 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists.

"It's hard to swallow, man," Anderson said. "It's one of those games that I loved being a part of, but I wish I was on the other side. They stayed together. They're three-time defending champions, they hit some big shots."

Despite the Blazers' inability to stop Bryant, it was a relative offensive explosion for the talent-laded squad that had managed just 75.5 points per contest in the previous two losses. Head coach Maurice Cheeks' club ranks 23rd in the league with only 87 points per contest.

The Blazers may be without reserve center Arvydas Sabonis, who is slowed with a right hamstring injury, this evening. Sabonis is currently listed as questionable on the injury report.

Memphis, which was supposed to be an improved team this year, has yet to dent the win column. The Grizzlies are coming off a narrow 103-101 overtime defeat at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Five Grizzlies posted double digits in scoring led by Pau Gasol, who tallied 22 points, nine rebounds, six blocks and five assists. Gasol also committed five of the Grizzlies' 20 turnovers that led to 28 San Antonio points in the defeat.

Jason Williams poured in 19 points and dished out nine assists, while Shane Battier and Drew Gooden added 14 points each. Battier and Stromile Swift tied for the team lead with 10 rebounds apiece.

Memphis blew a lead down the stretch in the game and the Spurs made it pay when Tim Duncan hit the game-winning 12-footer as time expired.

"We just couldn't close the deal," Memphis coach Sidney Lowe said. "I am hurt. They played so hard, and they deserved to win that ballgame. We executed down the stretch, but we just couldn't hold on to it."

Memphis has won two straight in the series, one of which was at the Rose Garden in March of last season. These squads have split the last eight meetings overall in the series. Portland has still won 10 of the past 12 meetings at the Rose Garden.

Overall, the Blazers own a 18-9 advantage in their series with the Grizzlies. Portland has won five of nine and 10 of the last 15 meetings.