The Portland Trail Blazers had forty-five reasons to perform well against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
Unlike when they lost to Memphis 134-89 at home on November 10, they put out more effort there.
Regretfully, the shooting was not, as it had been on November 10.
The Blazers lost 123-98 against the Grizzlies after shooting a dismal 8 of 46 (17.4%) from three-point range.
In the last match, Portland made 4 of 42 three-pointers.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters, “I thought we did a pretty good job in the first half just hanging in there.” That crew is tenacious. At the half, we had just three turnovers. We waited. was unable to make shots. However, you give them credit. When they appeared, they exploited us.
In the team’s victory over Houston on Saturday, Anfernee Simons scored 25 points and made 2 of 14 field goals, including 1 of 7 three-pointers for five points versus Memphis.
With 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists off the bench, Deni Avdija led the Blazers. Shaedon Sharpe went 1 of 6 from beyond the arc and scored 15 points.
The Grizzlies’ first victory over the Blazers did not include Memphis guards Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. In his first game back on Monday, Morant scored 22 points (20 in the first half) and dished out 11 assists.
“Obviously, he had an amazing first half,” Billups remarked. new legs. He was obviously thrilled to return. He s the straw that stirs the drink here. He’s a challenging cover. He is really evasive. He has a really high basketball IQ.
Bane got eight points.
The Grizzlies, 12 of 28 from long distance (42.9%), had no issues with shooting in this one. They started hot, hitting 7 of 11 three-point attempts in the first quarter to build a 36-24 lead. They cooled off a bit in the second quarter, but the poor-shooting Blazers couldn t take advantage.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (Photo by Brandon Dill/AP) APAP
Portland, one of the most turnover-prone teams in the NBA, committed just three in the first half. But the Blazers shot 3 of 20 from three-piont range and trailed 65-54 at halftime.
Despite their issues, the Blazers trailed just 73-67 with 7:07 remaining in the third quarter. But the Grizzlies closed with a 19-8 run to lead 92-75 entering the fourth quarter.
The good news: Portland, which committed 23 turnovers against Memphis the last time around, had just 11 on Monday. The Blazers racked up 19 offensive rebounds that led to 29 second-chance points compared to 14 for the Grizzlies.
WHAT IT MEANS
There is no shame in the Blazers (7-11) losing at Memphis (11-7), which, when healthy, resembles a Western Conference contender.
At least this time, the Blazers didn t roll over and allow the Grizzlies to dominate them. Instead, they played with greater determination, but the shots wouldn t fall.
INJURIES
Injuries added to the Blazers’ woes.
Forward Jerami Grant and center Robert Williams III both started Monday but did not finish the game.
Grant left the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury and did not return. He scored 11 points with two rebounds.
Williams did not play in the second half after suffering a concussion.
We just, at the end of the day, didn t have enough bodies, Billups said.
Losing Williams left the Blazers minus their top three centers.
Rookie centerDonovan Clingan(knee) and Deandre Ayton (right index finger) did not play.
Also out were forward Kris Murray (sternum bruise) and guardScoot Henderson(back strain).
Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) has not appeared in a game this season.
NEXT UP
The Blazers end their five-game trip with a 4 p.m. game Wednesday at the Indiana Pacers.
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— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
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