Both teams came into the game wondering when their respective All-Star guards would be back in uniform.

Allen Iverson missed his third straight game after leaving the team over the weekend for "personal reasons." Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said he had "nothing new to report" on Iverson's status or immediate future with the team.

Meanwhile, Houston's Tracy McGrady was on the bench in street clothes after setting Nov. 18 as a "target" date for his return from offseason knee surgery. The Rockets have said that there is no firm timetable for McGrady's return.

Notes

Hollins said C Hasheem Thabeet could possibly return for Saturday's game against Minnesota after fracturing his lower jaw in Tuesday's loss to Portland. Doctors repaired the ridgeline fracture in Memphis on Wednesday, and Hollins said Thabeet may not even wear a protective mouth guard when he returns. ... Adelman earned his 865th career victory, breaking a tie with former mentor Jack Ramsey for 11th place. ... Retired Rockets C Dikembe Mutombo walked into the arena midway through the third quarter and sat down in a front-row seat next to team owner Les Alexander.