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The Pens hoping for two important players to be back

The home team struggled with massive injury problems earlier in the season but things are slowly improving. At the same time, it's hard to expect Evans to make an instant contribution since he's going to have a minutes limit the next few weeks

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The New Orleans Pens are definitely in for some better days because it's hard to believe that things could get any worse. They won only one out of the first 12 games to get on a three-game winning run and then lose to the Clippers on Friday and in Salt Lake City 101-87. Alvin Gentry's team was 21 point down by the second quarter but they managed to pull themselves together and close the gap by half time (39-48). The second half saw Utah take a new big lead but they allowed the Pens to get close again. However, Utah hit some important shots at the very end to settle the game. 

- We did a good job in the first half in defense and limited them to shooting of 35 percent, but we were not focused enough because we allowed them 10 offensive rebounds. You shouldn't be down by more than 10 points when you're keeping the opponents at 35 percent shooting - coach Gentry said. His team is now on a 0-11 record when the opponents have better shooting.

The Pens lost the rebound battle 49-35 despite the fact Anthony Davis spent 44 minutes on the floor after leaving the paint with a knee injury the night before. He recorded 36 points (12-for-18), 11 rebounds, two steals and 3 blocks.

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- We have to play together. We have to fight harder and be tougher. We have to find a way to win. We have to get together as a team and believe in each other - Davis said. He's been recording 23,9 points and 10,5 rebounds this season.

Eric Gordon did horribly last Saturday, just like Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson. They combined only 15 points with a horrible 2-for-20 shooting from the floor.

- A single player cannot win the game. I don't know any team in the league that is relying on a single player. Even the top teams have a lot of players who make contribution and help win the games - coach Gentry said. He added that Evans and Cole are to make a debut on Tuesday.

- There is a very good chance they'll both be ready for Tuesday. 

The Pens will need everyone's contribution since they are to face the Grizzlies. The team from Memphis started doing better after a horrible start to win 7 out of the last 9 games. They struggled greatly with the 76ers last Sunday as they were forced into 26 turnovers. But Joerger's team still won 92-84.

- We didn't want to be the team that would lose to the 76ers. That would get us in history books. Those kind of games are tough since you only have something to lose - Mike Conley said after hitting 20 points (5-for-14) and adding 4 rebounds and 5 assists. 

After missing the last 5 games with an injury, Zach Randolph spent 32 minutes on the floor against the 76ers to record 17 points (6-for-17) and add 17 assists. Matt Barnes and Jeff Green added 13 points each. 

The Grizzlies won two and lost two games against the Pens last season, even though they limited Davis to only 17,3 points. They are much more adapted to their starting five this season, which could turn out to be a problem for the home team if their three point shooting isn't at a good level.