Though the Hornets (30-18) have dropped three of their last four road games overall, they generally have their way with the perennially woeful Grizzlies, who occupy last place in the Southwest Division for the third consecutive season. New Orleans has won its last four visits to Memphis, and 12 of the last 13 overall meetings in this series.

The Hornets were undermanned for Sunday's home game against Minnesota. A groin strain kept Paul out of his third straight contest, Tyson Chandler (ankle) also sat, and David West was ejected after a flagrant foul in the second quarter.

However, New Orleans got 23 points from Rasual Butler and a career-high 18 from Sean Marks in a 101-97 win - its second straight following a four-game losing streak.

"It was a chance for all of us to sort of rally around having all these guys out, which makes it tough, but at the same time it's a good opportunity for all of us," Marks said.

Even without Paul and his team-leading 21.5 points per game, the Hornets have scored 101 points in their last two victories contests after averaging 90.5 during their skid.

Chandler has not played since Jan. 19, and West could face a suspension for his foul on Mike Miller.

New Orleans will have to continue to rely on role players such as Butler, who has 40 points over the past two games after averaging 10.1 in his first 37 starts.

Devin Brown - averaging 6.1 points off the bench - has scored a total of 40 in the last three contests, and Paul's replacement Antonio Daniels had a season-high 12 points Sunday.

The Grizzlies (14-36) have won three of four following a 12-game losing streak. Despite missing two starters of their own Saturday, they defeated visiting Toronto 78-70.

Rudy Gay - the team's second-leading scorer at 18.8 points per game - sat out with an ailing left hip, while starting forward Darrell Arthur missed a second straight game due to a family illness. Neither player's status is clear for Monday.

Rookie star O.J. Mayo missed nine of his first 11 shots in Saturday's win, but scored 12 points in the fourth quarter - including nine unanswered - to finish with 16.

"Big-time players, no matter what kind of game they have, seem to rise to the occasion," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "He rose to the occasion in the last few minutes of that game."

The Hornets return home Wednesday to host Boston in their final game before the All-Star break. Paul could miss that contest as well, but is trying to return in time for Sunday's All-Star game in Phoenix.