Game Thread GAME# 59: GRIZZLIES @ BLAZERS - APRIL 23, 2021 - FRIDAY, 7:00, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
29 - 27
(16-11 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
32 - 26
(16-14 Home)

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______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

JA MORANT VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

GRAYSON ALLEN VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

DILLON BROOKS VS NORMAN POWELL

PF

KYLE ANDERSON VS ROBERT COVINGTON

C

XAVIER TILLMAN VS JUSUF NURKIC

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

---

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (PDT), FRIDAY, 4/23/2021

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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-------------- RESERVES --------------

-- MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES --

FRAZIER , JONES , MELTON

BANE , KONCHAR , McDERMOTT

WINSLOW , CLARKE

JACKSON Jr. , TILLIE



---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

SIMONS , BLEVINS , ELLEBY

LITTLE , HOLLIS-JEFFERSON , JONES Jr.

ANTHONY , LEAF

GILES III , KANTER


INJURIES
GRIZZLIES
Jonas Valanciunas (concussion protocol): QUESTIONABLE
TRAIL BLAZERS
Derrick Jones Jr. (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture): OUT




HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TAYLOR JENKINS --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL GRIZZLIES' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• The Trail Blazers April 23 game against the Grizzlies will be the first of three meetings between Portland and Memphis this season. All three matchups come within a four-game span, concluding on April 28 in Memphis.

• LAST SEASON: The Trail Blazers and Grizzlies split the 2019-20 season series, 1-1. Portland and Memphis have split the season series each of the past three years.

• Damian Lillard averaged 24.5 points (41.5% FG, 25.0% 3-PT, 84.6% FT), 5.0 rebounds and 9.5 assists in two games against the Grizzlies last season.

• CJ McCollum averaged 28.0 points (50.0% FG, 40.0% 3-PT, 100% FT), 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.50 steals in two games against Memphis last season.

• In two games against Portland last season, Ja Morant averaged 21.0 points (35.6% FG, 8.3% 3-PT, 100% FT), 5.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.00 steals.

• Brandon Clarke averaged 24.0 points (86.4% FG, 76.9% FT), 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in two games against the Trail Blazers last season.

• Anfernee Simons scored a season-high 22 points (7-12 FG, 6-7 3-PT, 2-2 FT), to go with seven rebounds and one assist on Feb. 12 last season.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Ja Morant averaged 21.0 points (35.6% FG, 8.3% 3-PT, 100% FT), 5.5 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.0 steals. Portland was the only team Morant averaged 20+ points and 10+ assists against his rookie season.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 51-40
PORTLAND HOME: Trail Blazers lead, 28-17
MEMPHIS HOME: Trail Blazers lead, 27-17

 

[Darkwebs]

Get ready for some quality time with the Grizzlies. In our next 4 games, we'll be playing Memphis thrice.

These games against the Grizz will have big-time ramifications on the seeding in the West. Memphis is in the 8th spot currently, while the Blazers sit in the 6th, but Portland is only 2 games ahead of the Grizzlies.

3 of the last 4 Portland losses have been by a single point. The Blazers have lost 5 of the last 6 games, and 7 of the last 9.

Let's get back on the winning track here!

 

[BlazerBeav]

Hope is dead.

 

[Chris Craig]

Hope is dead.

It was murdered

 

[LayneStaley]

I hope someone punches Grayson Allen in all 3 games, don’t even care about the suspensions.

 

[blazerkor]

I said two because we have the better team. I was very close to saying one because this team seems to have a huge morale problem right now. If we happen to lose all three of these games the Grizz likely will pass us. The good news is Memphis haven't been world beaters lately either. So we'll just have to see. If we don't win two of the next four that will be a really bad thing.

 

[EGame]

probably another fat L. This team doesn't know how to play against decent competition.

 

[TBpup]

Blazers should match up well. They have better overall talent and Memphis is one of the few teams that has a PG, SG, SF around the same size as Portland.

Then again, what is done with that talent and how they play together has been the much bigger issue.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Jaren Jackson coming back tonight, but probably won't play on the second of back to backs against us, and hopefully won't be effective immediately.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Keep losing. Better to keep our lottery pick!

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we end up taking 2 out of the 3 against Memphis.

 

[illmatic99]

So tired of losing.

 

[Mr. Robot]

So tired of losing.

whatever it takes to get terry stotts fired

 

[Natebishop3]

So tired of losing.

Just think of it as being on the path to better things.

 

[illmatic99]

Just think of it as being on the path to better things.

stotts being let go at the end of the season is a foregone conclusion to me as is, even if we win a round.

these losses now will not expedite his departure any more. They will only cause us more pain in the time being.

 

[Natebishop3]

stotts being let go at the end of the season is a foregone conclusion to me as is, even if we win a round.

these losses now will not expedite his departure any more. They will only cause us more pain in the time being.

I have accepted the fate of this team. It just is what it is at this point. I'm not going to get heartburn about it anymore.

 

[James lamphear]

To me these 3 games with Memphis might be our season.

 

[Natebishop3]

To me these 3 games with Memphis might be our season.

Eh, I mean if we lose against Memphis we're definitely screwed, but these games are irrelevant. We need to beat the decent teams and we can't seem to do that. So far I have only been off by 1 win and 1 loss. I still think we finish around .500.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers need to win the next 4

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers can still stay in 6th or even get 5th. They only games that are probably losses are Brooklyn, Boston, and LA. Utah, Denver, and Phx will be resting their starters so we should win those. Blazers can win the next 4 (3 vs Memphis and 1 vs Inidiana). They can beat Atlanta with Trae Young out. They can beat the Cavs, Spurs, and Rockets.

That's 11-3 to end the season. It's coming

 

[Shaboid]

Blazers can still stay in 6th or even get 5th. They only games that are probably losses are Brooklyn, Boston, and LA. Utah, Denver, and Phx will be resting their starters so we should win those. Blazers can win the next 4 (3 vs Memphis and 1 vs Inidiana). They can beat Atlanta with Trae Young out. They can beat the Cavs, Spurs, and Rockets.

That's 11-3 to end the season. It's coming

Uh-0h. CC found the left over 4/20 stash.

This does actually seem reasonable though I guess. One game at a time.

 

[Darkwebs]

 

[BigGameDamian]

Well looks like we'll be tied 6th place with Dallas. Dallas have the Lakers again on Saturday.

 

[Cugel]

If only Portland was in a situation to rest starters. Terry has to play them into the ground just to make the post-season.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Blazers need to win the next 14

FIFY lol

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Blazers can still stay in 6th or even get 5th. They only games that are probably losses are Brooklyn, Boston, and LA. Utah, Denver, and Phx will be resting their starters so we should win those. Blazers can win the next 4 (3 vs Memphis and 1 vs Inidiana). They can beat Atlanta with Trae Young out. They can beat the Cavs, Spurs, and Rockets.

That's 11-3 to end the season. It's coming

Damn I like your attitude!

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Well looks like we'll be tied 6th place with Dallas. Dallas have the Lakers again on Saturday.

Good thing we have the tiebreaker. I’m rooting for Dallas. I want the Lakers in the play-in.

 

[BonesJones]

Blazers can still stay in 6th or even get 5th. They only games that are probably losses are Brooklyn, Boston, and LA. Utah, Denver, and Phx will be resting their starters so we should win those. Blazers can win the next 4 (3 vs Memphis and 1 vs Inidiana). They can beat Atlanta with Trae Young out. They can beat the Cavs, Spurs, and Rockets.

That's 11-3 to end the season. It's coming

Yeah no it's not. Assuming 3 teams will be resting starters is hopeful thinking.

 

[Chris Craig]

Yeah no it's not. Assuming 3 teams will be resting starters is hopeful thinking.

Why wouldn't they. All three teams will be locked in by then

 

[blazerkor]

Blazers can still stay in 6th or even get 5th. They only games that are probably losses are Brooklyn, Boston, and LA. Utah, Denver, and Phx will be resting their starters so we should win those. Blazers can win the next 4 (3 vs Memphis and 1 vs Inidiana). They can beat Atlanta with Trae Young out. They can beat the Cavs, Spurs, and Rockets.

That's 11-3 to end the season. It's coming

Unless they are locked into their match ups, with the Lakers not the number one seed I think teams will be playing until the end of the season in order to avoid the Lakers in the earlier rounds. Especially because they get extra days off for the play-ins. I think the Grizz will take one if not more from the iteration of this team I've seen lately (it's also important to note that JJJ had 15 points 8 boards and 4 blocks in 18 minutes his first game back). So I optimistically think we'll go 7-7. That might end up with us in the play-in.