"Even though the Grizzlies have managed to stay afloat and hold on to their playoff position without forward Rudy Gay, it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.

Memphis owns a 5-5 record in the 10 games since Gay suffered a partially separated left shoulder Feb. 15 against Philadelphia. He'll be re-evaluated today.

"I'll be glad when he comes back," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said.

Getting Gay's all-around talent back on the court sooner than later could mean the difference between the Griz sinking or creating some breathing room in the Western Conference standings.

Hollins & Co. are sitting in the eighth spot with a 11/2 -game lead over Phoenix and a two-game edge on 10th-place Utah. The Griz, however, will take a two-game losing streak into their game tonight against Los Angeles Clippers in FedExForum.

This marks their first losing streak in about a month, when the Griz lost back-to-back games against Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 5-7. The Grizzlies' last loss -- a 33-point drubbing Saturday at Miami -- was their worst this season.

The defeat also capped a stretch when the Griz played seven straight playoff-bound teams. "