"Hasheem Thabeet is trying to prove himself a consistent rebounder and shot-blocker.

When Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden glided toward the rim for a lay-up attempt last Friday, Grizzlies rookie center Hasheem Thabeet was there to meet him.

Before Thabeet's body collided with Harden and before an official called a foul, Thabeet's right hand had already pinned the basketball against the backboard.

The Grizzlies protested the call as the FedExForum crowd roared its approval.

Thabeet sat on the court, emphatically smacking his hands on the floor. It was a rare show of emotion from the 7-footer.

He was fired up.

Thabeet appeared confident. The No. 2 overall pick from the 2009 NBA draft was aggressively making an impact on the game. And it wasn't just that Thabeet tied a career high with nine rebounds to go with four blocks on a night he seemed to swat away twice as many shots.

It was the manner in which Thabeet controlled the paint. Thabeet attacked the opposition's shots at the rim instead of offering his usual delayed reaction. He also maintained good rebounding position for the 23 minutes he logged.

The Grizzlies want an encore performance, and Thabeet wants badly to deliver.

"It's up to me to stay focused and not let that one game allow me to get laid back. I have to get better," Thabeet said Sunday as the Griz prepared to host the Orlando Magic tonight in FedExForum.

Memphis has won a franchise-record 10 straight games at home.

Can the Griz get solid production from Thabeet in back-to-back contests?

Thabeet's teammates have tried to keep him pumped up."