The Portland Trail Blazers had forty-five reasons to perform well against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
In contrast to the Blazers’ 45-point home loss to Memphis on November 10, the effort was there.
Unfortunately, the shooting was not, just as it had been during that initial thrashing.
The Blazers lost 123-98 against the Grizzlies on Monday after shooting a dismal 8 of 46 (17.4%) from three-point range.
Portland lost the previous game 134-89, going 4 of 42 on threes.
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. Here, he is the straw that stirs the pot. He’s a challenging cover. He is really evasive. His basketball IQ is quite good.
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.
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
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-point attempts.
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.
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) loss to Memphis (11-7) is not shameful because, when healthy, Memphis 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.
INJURIES
The Blazers’ problems were exacerbated by injuries.
Moving forward Robert Williams III, a center, and Jerami Grant both started Monday but did not play through the game.
Due to a left knee injury, Grant departed the game in the third quarter and never came back. He pulled down two rebounds and scored eleven points.
Williams sustained a concussion and was out for the second half.
“In the end, we simply didn’t have enough bodies,” Billups stated.
The Blazers lost their top three centers when Williams left.
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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