Los Angeles  - Marc Iavaroni was fired as Memphis Grizzlies head coach late Thursday night due to a poor record, the club told the Commercial Appeal daily.

Former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, currently an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, is expected to be named Iavaroni's successor over the weekend.

He will add former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Maurice Cheeks and LA Clippers coach Barry Hecker as assistants, according to the newspaper.

Iavaroni, who was given his pink slip as the Grizzlies were preparing to face the New York Knicks in the Big Apple on Friday night, leaves his first NBA coaching job after a year and a half with a 33-90 record.

Memphis assistant Johnny Davis will assume the head coaching duties for the game.

Hollins, 55, will inherit the struggling Grizzlies (11-31) who have played more like teddy bears recently. They have dropped seven consecutive games, and 15 of the past
17, despite a core of promising youngsters that include Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, and fellow-rookie Marc Gasol of Spain.

Hollins is no stranger to the Grizzlies. After a 10-year NBA career, he was interim coach twice, when the club was in Vancouver, compiling an 18-46 record. (dpa)