Game Thread GAME# 56: BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - FEBRUARY 12, 2020 - WEDNESDAY, 5:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2019-20 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
25 - 30
(10-19 Road)
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
27 - 26
(15-13 Home)


___________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS JA MORANT

SG

CJ McCOLLUM VS
DILLON BROOKS

SF

TREVOR ARIZA VS KYLE ANDERSON

PF

CARMELO ANTHONY VS JAREN JACKSON Jr.

C

HASSAN WHITESIDE VS JONAS VALANCIUNAS

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------- JERSEYS -------

---

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WHEN: 5:00 PM (PST), WEDNESDAY, 2/12/2020

WHERE: FEDEXFORUM, MEMPHIS, TN

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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--------------BENCH--------------
- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS -

SIMONS , TRENT Jr.

LITTLE , HEZONJA , HOARD

GABRIEL , SWANIGAN , BROWN


- MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES-

JONES , MELTON , KONCHAR

GUDURIC , BELL , JACKSON

WATANABE , CLARKE , DIENG




INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Mario Hezonja (sprained left ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Nassir Little (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Rodney Hood (torn Achilles): OUT
Zach Collins (dislocated left shoulder): OUT
Jusuf Nurkic (left leg): OUT
GRIZZLIES
Justise Winslow (back): OUT
Grayson Allen (left hip injury): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- TAYLOR JENKINS

OFFICIAL GRIZZLIES' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday’s meeting will be the first of three games between the Trail Blazers and the Grizzlies during the 2019-20 season.

• LAST SEASON: Portland and Memphis split the 2018-19 season series between the two teams, 2-2.

• Damian Lillard averaged 20.5 points (40.3% FG, 36.7% 3-PT, 86.7% FT), 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in four games against Memphis last season.

• CJ McCollum averaged 26.0 points (53.6% FG, 38.5% 3-PT, 86.7% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three games versus the Grizzlies last season, including a season-high 40 point performance on Dec. 12 in Memphis.

• Ja Morant is averaging 17.6 points (49.7% FG, 37.6% 3-PT, 78.1% FT), 3.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists over his rookie season. Wednesday's game will be his fi rst career matchup with Portland.

• Jaren Jackson Jr. averaged 15.0 points (50.0% FG, 57.1% 3-PT, 100% FT), 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.50 blocks in two games against the Trail Blazers last season.


• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 50-39
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 27-17
AT THE GRIZZLIES: Trail Blazers lead, 23-22

 

[Darkwebs]

This is the final game before the All-Star break, so I hope the Blazers play with more energy than they showed against the Pelicans.

Well, I guess that's not saying much, because the whole team looked lethargic in N'awlins. So what I actually I hope to see is the Blazers laying it all on the line here, seeing as they will have over a week off from the NBA. No standing around, no jogging nonchalantly back on D. Play hard and hungry, go after every ball, dive on the floor, keep those feet moving.

This game has huge implications towards the battle for the 8th seed. Portland finds itself on the outside looking in, just 3 games behind Memphis for that 8th spot of the Playoffs with 27 games to go in the regular season. They need to start making up some ground on the Grizzlies, and this game will give them an opportunity to do that. If Portland wins, they will be just 2 games back; however, a Portland loss will send them back 4 games behind Memphis.

Just win it!

 

[oldmangrouch]

I suspect the lethargy is as much mental as physical. I also suspect this game will be as bad as tonight's.

 

[TBpup]

The last game before a vacation for most of these guys, on the road... not overly confident about this.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

If we want anything, this game is huge. This is a must win for us.

 

[illmatic99]

That game last night was an abomination. It was also an indication of how we'll look in the playoffs.

Why are we killing ourselves and Dame this season only to get destroyed in four games by LA?

 

[Shaboid]

That game last night was an abomination. It was also an indication of how we'll look in the playoffs.

Why are we killing ourselves and Dame this season only to get destroyed in four games by LA?

Killing "ourselves" because the players get paid millions of dollars to do a job, which is try and win basketball games. I agree with the first sentence though.

 

[Labinot41]

Let's get that 8 seed boyz so we can get swept by the Lakers instead of tanking and getting a good lottery pick

 

[illmatic99]

Uniforms are a slap in the face to Vancouver.

 

[TBpup]

That game last night was an abomination. It was also an indication of how we'll look in the playoffs.

Why are we killing ourselves and Dame this season only to get destroyed in four games by LA?

LeBron likes Dame and will kindly offer up the 'Gentleman's Sweep' in 5.

 

[hoopsjock]

Let's get that 8 seed boyz so we can get swept by the Lakers instead of tanking and getting a good lottery pick

It's too late for tanking.

 

[Scalma]

Memphis has some long/athletic forwards Gabriel would match up well against so look for Biggie to play instead, with extra minutes for Melo.

 

[TBpup]

Memphis has some long/athletic forwards Gabriel would match up well against so look for Biggie to play instead, with extra minutes for Melo.

Sad....but based on previous coaching tendencies.

 

[illmatic99]

4 games in 6 nights:

 

[wizenheimer]

It's too late for tanking.

well then let's at least hop in a Humvee.

 

[wizenheimer]

4 games in 6 nights:

it will be 5 games in 7 nights after today's game. But every team goes thru that kind of a stretch at least twice in a season....and before this current 7 night stretch, Portland had 6 games in 16 nights

but this chase for an 8th seed is grinding Dame into the floor though

 

[Scalma]

Melos minutes the last four games

26 (would’ve been 30+ had it not been a blowout)
33
39
35

I mean come on, this is just irresponsible. He turns 36 this year.

 

[Jon]

Melos minutes the last four games

26 (would’ve been 30+ had it not been a blowout)
33
39
35

I mean come on, this is just irresponsible. He turns 36 this year.

to be fair, the 39 minute game was when we had 7 guys.

 

[Scalma]

to be fair, the 39 minute game was when we had 7 guys.

Yeah, and he scored 5 points while Wenyen got like 10 minutes.

 

[illmatic99]

Melos minutes the last four games

26 (would’ve been 30+ had it not been a blowout)
33
39
35

I mean come on, this is just irresponsible. He turns 36 this year.

Again, in 6 nights, with travel to/from high altitude in Denver and Salt Lake. It's stupid.

 

[Jon]

Yeah, and he scored 5 points while Wenyen got like 10 minutes.

maybe Stotts didnt trust him yet or Melo wanted to stay in. who knows.
Wenyen should have played more, but the -7 in 8 minutes didnt help the cause. with 7 players, the rotation is skewed anyway.

 

[DDolla]

No Jrue Holiday so we’re good... we get this one tonight.

 

[B-Roy]

Is lil Nas playing tonight?

 

[Scalma]

I give the uniforms an F because those beauties belong to Vancouver.

 

[Scalma]

Is lil Nas playing tonight?

no

edit: he’s not officially out yet, and did make the trip...so maybe?

 

[Labinot41]

no

edit: he’s not officially out yet, and did make the trip...so maybe?

He is out.

 

[kjironman1]

4 games in 6 nights:

Yep. That play was pretty much the end from the way i see it.

 

[kjironman1]

So i sent a case of 5 hour energy drinks to Memphis for them to drink at halftime.
Was gonna do with this one

But i thought they might end up running in circles?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

no

edit: he’s not officially out yet, and did make the trip...so maybe?

 

[kjironman1]

We get Jamie again tonight. She does a good job filling in for Brooke.