But they all agree on this: They're not giving themselves much of a chance to break out of this funk by making games so difficult from the start.

Another slow start produced another steep climb the Grizzlies could never complete, this time falling behind the New Jersey Nets by 14 points in the opening period before losing 100-89 Wednesday night in IZOD Arena.

The Griz have lost 10 of their last 12 since their season-high four-game winning streak.

They've appeared uninspired to start the last two.

New Jersey shot 69 percent and led 32-18 after the game's first 12 minutes. From there, Memphis couldn't recover, mainly because it couldn't string together enough defensive stops to reel in New Jersey.

"We're not trusting each other on defense," Griz rookie center Marc Gasol said. "We're not helping each other. We don't mean to. We're just not doing it. We talk about it a lot. We talked about it (Wednesday) morning. We've got to figure it out."

The Nets didn't appear pressured by how the Grizzlies defended their pick-and-rolls. New Jersey executed and assisted 28 of its 37 field goals as Vince Carter led the team with a season-high 12 assists to go with 25 points.

"We've built a trust factor where we know if it's not there, everybody is moving on a string," Carter said. "We were patient making plays for each other."

Griz coach Marc Iavaroni started with a small lineup that had Quinton Ross at small forward with Rudy Gay at power forward next to Gasol. The move was designed to generate stronger defense in an attempt to contain Carter.

Carter, though, made 3 of his first 4 shots and scored 13 in the opening period.

"We just didn't execute," Iavaroni said, adding that "we're still spotty with our effort. Guys want to do it. But we need to understand what it takes to be consistent. This is a good team (New Jersey). Their record is deceiving."

The Griz didn't help their cause by being lethargic in all of the hustle areas. Routinely beat to loose balls, the Griz watched a few of the Nets' nondescript players set or tie season highs given Brook Lopez's five blocks, Jarvis Hayes' eight rebounds and Keyon Dooling's three steals.

"The ball finds hard work," Griz reserve point guard Mike Conley said. "They worked harder."

Despite playing without leading scorer Devin Harris because of a sore right hamstring, the Nets made it so that the Griz never held a lead for a second straight game.

Rookie O.J. Mayo led the Grizzlies with 26 points and Gay added 23.

The Nets scored the game's first seven points and hit nine of their first 13 shots, finishing at 69 percent in the first quarter to take a 32-18 lead. The lead swelled to 16 points with 1:29 remaining in the half, and New Jersey was up 55-42 at halftime.

The Griz built some momentum in the third with a couple steals and offense generated by Mayo and Gay. Memphis used a 14-4 run to cut their deficit to 73-67 with 3:08 remaining in the period.

But after Mayo missed a 15-foot shot and Gay came up empty on a driving layup attempt, the Nets quickly re-established a double-digit lead. New Jersey's Eduardo Najera scored a reverse layup and then buried a 3-pointer before the Nets took an 81-71 lead into the final frame.

The Nets were in cruise control until the Griz put together a mild threat behind a 7-0 spurt. A pair of Mayo free throws made the score 91-84 with 2:14 left. But Yi Jianlian hit an 18-foot shot, and then picked up a steal after Mayo lost his dribble.

Carter then converted a pair of free throws that gave the Nets an 11-point advantage with 1:25 left.

"They moved the ball and everybody knocked down open shots," Gay said of the Nets. "It made us scramble on defense. Playing from behind is terrible. It's tough on any level in any sport. It's stressful trying to get back those points the rest of the game."

Mayo continues to stress the Grizzlies' lack of toughness.

"We talk about it to the point where we just need to be aggressive and tough," Mayo said. "We can't stand and (be spectators) and hope someone else gets (a loose ball). There are no excuses for being soft."

- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

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INSIDE

Trade: Griz make deal for player, then waive him.

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