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.
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. Bane got eight points.
The Grizzlies had no trouble shooting in this one, going 12 of 28 from long range (42.9%). They got out to a fast start, making 7 of 11 three-pointers in the first quarter to take a 36–24 advantage. In the second quarter, they cooled off a little, but the Blazers, who shot poorly, were unable to capitalize.
Only three turnovers were made in the first half by Portland, one of the NBA’s most prone teams. However, the Blazers were behind 65-54 at the half and only made 3 of 20 three-pointers.
With 7:07 left in the third quarter, the Blazers were only behind 73-67 despite their problems. However, the Grizzlies led 92-75 going into the fourth quarter after closing with a 19-8 run.
In the first half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, November 25, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee, Portland Trail Blazers player Jerami Grant (9) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in Memphis. (Photo by Brandon Dill/AP) APAP
The good news is that Portland only had 11 turnovers on Monday, compared to 23 versus Memphis the previous time. The Blazers pulled down 19 offensive rebounds, which resulted in 29 second-chance points, while the Grizzlies only managed 14.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
The Blazers (7-11) losing to Memphis (11-7) is hardly a disgrace because Memphis, when healthy, looks like a Western Conference contender.
This time, at least, the Blazers didn’t give in and let the Grizzlies control them. Rather, they played more resolutely, but the shots were not falling.
INJURED ROBERT WILLIAMS III
Robert Williams III, a center for Portland, started Monday but missed the second half due to a concussion.
The Blazers lost their top three centers as a result.
The rookie centerDeandre Ayton (right index finger) and Donovan Clingan (knee) did not participate.
Additionally sidelined were guard Scoot Henderson (back strain) and forward Kris Murray (sternum bruising).
Due to a sprained right ankle, Matisse Thybulle has missed all of this season’s games.
UPCOMING
The Blazers will play the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to wrap up their five-game trip.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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