As the Grizzlies wind up December in the next few days, their rotation has been shaken again, this time by injury and possibly by a grizzled vet about to make his debut.

Grizzlies starting center Darko Milicic is out four to six weeks with a broken knuckle on the ring finger of his right hand. It means that rookie Marc Gasol, who has started the last two games in Milicic's place, must play beyond his years.

Memphis began a five-game stretch Saturday night that includes games against bigger Western Conference foes in San Antonio (twice), Phoenix and Dallas.

Gasol is a vastly better offensive player than Milicic, but Milicic is a better defender, which is why Grizzlies coach Marc Iavaroni will use two or three defenders in Milicic's vacated spot.

"Hakim's (Warrick) got to step up. Marc Gasol's got to step up. Darrell Arthur, another rookie, has got to step up," Iavaroni said. "We're back to starting three youngsters a lot. It'll be one of those things where we'll have to really galvanize. Everybody has to go through it."

And Tuesday night, when the Grizzlies return home to face the Suns, newly acquired veteran guard Steve Francis should be in uniform.

Francis passed a physical after he was acquired Wednesday from Houston. The Grizzlies reclaimed their 2009 second-round draft pick and received cash and sent the Rockets a 2011 second-round pick that is protected through the 55th choice.

TIMBERWOLVES 108, GRIZZLIES 98 (OT): In a battle of traded draft choices, O.J. Mayo won the battle but Kevin Love won the war as the Timberwolves emerged a winner in overtime. Mayo scored 23 points, but made a critical mistake at the end of regulation when he grabbed a missed Timberwolves free throw with 1.4 seconds left and failed to call time out, instead dribbling twice and launching a desperation heave that didn't come close to being an answered miracle. Then, Memphis missed 9-of-10 shots to start the extra period. The Grizzlies shot 2-of-13 in the extra period. It didn't help that Marc Gasol fouled out for the Grizzlies late in regulation, because it allowed Minnesota's Al Jefferson to finish off an impressive performance with 38 points and 16 rebounds. And what about Love, who was drafted by the Grizzlies in the first round last June, then immediately traded to Minnesota for the T-Wolves' first round pick Mayo? Love went for 17 points and seven rebounds on the Grizzlies.