Think the Grizzlies took the day off just because they are in the midst of playing three games in four nights, including a back-to-back set with Houston?

Think again.

Coach Marc Iavaroni oversaw a spirited bunch that worked mainly on offensive drills focusing on pick-and-roll situations.

“Little things,” Iavaroni said, “not a full practice.”

Observations:

*** Pau Gasol was back on the practice court Thursday, participating in drills and light contact. Gasol has sat out the past week with a sprained left ankle but Iavaroni said the 7-footer would be a game-time decision for tonight’s pre-season finale.

*** Juan Carlos Navarro gave Griz fans a scare Wednesday night when he appeared to hurt his elbow. But Navarro appeared fine in the locker room after the game, and was shooting the basketball Thursday without discomfort or limitations.

*** Dontell Jefferson was absent Thursday. His stint with the Griz came to an end Wednesday night when he was waived. The former NBDL guard joined the Griz at the start of training camp but was faced with the challenge of earning a roster spot on a team with logjams at the guard and wing positions.

“He’s an NBA-quality player,” Iavaroni said. “He got better as a player. It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t be in a position to keep him.”

*** Iavaroni said Thursday the point guard rotation wasn’t exactly set. His comments after Wednesday’s game strongly suggested that Damon Stoudamire would be the opening-day starter with Kyle Lowry earning the backup role. Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be minutes for rookie Mike Conley. Right now, though, Conley appears to be counting on foul trouble, injuries or special matchups.

Stoudamire on his re-emergence: “I worked hard this summer. The biggest thing is that I’m healthy. I said all along that my main focus was to get healthy, and then I knew I could help this team. I knew I’d be fighting for a job. That was better for me because it made me hungry again. Now I’m happy but not satisfied.”

Lowry on the position battle: “We can all be productive. Damon is a veteran. He’s going to go out there and be our leader. Mike and I are just going to follow him and do what we can to help the team.”

The Marc Iavaroni Show, hosted by Ronald Tillery and Eli Savoie, is your chance to talk directly with Coach Iavaroni on Sports 56 (WHBQ-AM) every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. You can email questions to Iavaroni at any time by sending them to coach@sports56whbq.com.