Game Thread PLAY-IN GAME# 1: GRIZZLIES VS BLAZERS - AUGUST 15, 2020 - SATURDAY, 11:30, ABC

[Darkwebs]

2019-20 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
34 - 39
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
35 - 39
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______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

JA MORANT VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

DILLON BROOKS VS CJ McCOLLUM

SF

KYLE ANDERSON VS CARMELO ANTHONY

PF

ANTHONY TOLLIVER VS ZACH COLLINS

C

JONAS VALANCIUNAS VS JUSUF NURKIC

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WHEN: 11:30 AM (PDT), SATURDAY, 8/15/2020

WHERE: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, Florida

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

-- MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES --

JONES , MELTON , ALLEN

KONCHAR , GUDURIC , JACKSON

WATANABE , CLARKE

PORTER , DIENG


---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

ADAMS , SIMONS , TRENT Jr.

HEZONJA , LITTLE , HOARD

GABRIEL , WHITESIDE


INJURIES
GRIZZLIES
Tyus Jones (knee soreness): QUESTIONABLE
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee): OUT
Justise Winslow (hip): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Nassir Little (dehydration): OUT
Trevor Ariza (personal reasons): OUT
Caleb Swanigan (personal reasons): OUT
Rodney Hood (torn Achilles): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TAYLOR JENKINS --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL GRIZZLIES' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• The Trail Blazers and Grizzlies split the season series in 2019-20, 1-1.

• HOW WE GOT HERE: The Trail Blazers entered the eight seeding games in Orlando 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies for eighth place in the Western Conference. Portland went 6-2 in its seeding games while the Grizzlies were 2-6. Portland enters the play-in as the eight seed in the Western Conference and needs one win to advance to the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The ninth-seeded Grizzlies must beat Portland two times to advance to the Western Conference playoffs.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers and Grizzles squared off in the opening seeding game for both teams on July 31, with Portland earning a 140-135 overtime victory. CJ McCollum led the way for Portland with 33 points (14-21 FG, 3-6 3-PT, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, six assists and two steals while Jaren Jackson Jr. paced the Grizzlies with 33 points (10-22 FG, 6-15 3-PT, 7-9 FT), three rebounds and one block.

• CJ McCollum has scored at least 20 points in eight of his last nine games against the Grizzlies, including two games of 40-plus points.

• Damain Lillard scored 29 points (10-22 FG, 2-9 3-PT, 7-9 FT) to go with five rebounds and nine assists against Memphis on July 31. Lillard has reached the 20-point mark in each of his last five games against the Grizzlies, a span that includes two double-doubles.

• Jusuf Nurkic recorded 18 points (5-11 FG, 8-8 FT), nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and six blocks against the Grizzlies on July 31 in his first game back from the left leg injury he suffered in March of 2019.

• Ja Morant finished with 22 points (7-22 FG, 1-7 3-PT, 7-7 FT), six rebounds, 11 assists and one steal against the Trail Blazers on July 31. In two games against Portland this season, Morant averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists.

• Brandon Clarke had 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-8 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 34 minutes off the bench against Portland on July 31. He scored a season-high 27 points to go with six rebounds against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 12.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers this season, Jonas Valanciunas has averaged 14.0 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.50 blocks.

• CONNECTION: Portland guard Gary Trent Jr. and Memphis guard Grayson Allen were teammates at Duke University during the 2017-18 season.

• CONNECTION: Portland center Hassan Whiteside and Memphis forward Justice Winslow were teammates on the Miami Heat from 2015-19.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 51-40
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 28-17
AT THE GRIZZLIES: Series is tied, 23-23

​

 

[Darkwebs]

This may not be a must-win, but it is a Don't-fuck-around!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Nassir Little (dehydration): QUESTIONABLE
dehydration? WTF? that is why he has not been playing? He needed at least 8 minutes per game to get a little experience

 

[LayneStaley]

How the fuck could Little playing be worse than what Mario is doing?

 

[GhostOfPGA]

At least we have two shots but let’s get it done in one.

 

[Scalma]

Stop playing Mario k?!? Free Nas! Free Wenyen!

 

[Tince]

If we've learned anything from the bubble: If the Blazers are favored by more than 4, ALWAYS take the other side.

 

[illmatic99]

have to win here, and we get 2 days rest

 

[Labinot41]

Nassir was pretty good in the game against the Lakers after Kobes dead, he needs to play, we're Underdogs in the series anyway, so what?

 

[BlazerBeav]

To answer the poll question - absolutely. My heart is much more likely to give out before Covid could kill me.

 

[blazerkor]

Nassir was pretty good in the game against the Lakers after Kobes dead, he needs to play, we're Underdogs in the series anyway, so what?

You're saying we're underdogs in the series against the Lakers right because we're probably going to beat the Grizz the first game and if we don't we'll definitely beat them in the second game.

 

[Labinot41]

You're saying we're underdogs in the series against the Lakers right because we're probably going to beat the Grizz the first game and if we don't we'll definitely beat them in the second game.

No doubts that we beat the grizzlys in game 1, we have a ton of room for improvement and we need to show it

 

[blazerkor]

The poll question is a matter of civic responsibility. Going to an indoor massive gathering would be a super spreader of a very contagious and pretty deadly virus. Even if you aren't someone who is in danger of dying from contracting the virus you would become a spreader to others, especially those who you live with or see regularly. If those people aren't in danger then they become spreaders too. The other thing about this virus that isn't discussed enough are the long term problems it can cause other than death. It can do irreparable damage to your lungs, heart and brain... even in cases that never have to be hospitalized. The damage a sporting event with live spectators (especially an indoor one) would do right now would be huge. I'm glad the government and more so the NBA are smart enough to make good decisions for you guys because good fucking grief, it would be so unwise to go to a Blazers game right now.

 

[B-Roy]

What does Nas have to do to get on the floor over Mario? Like seriously at this point? The Blazers need energy from the second unit, not sporadic ball handling and bricked open shots.

 

[blazerkor]

No doubts that we beat the grizzlys in game 1, we have a ton of room for improvement and we need to show it

Well then you and I are completely on the same page here because I agree about the Grizz and we are definitely big time underdogs to the Lakers... even though I like to talk about Chuck, Paul Pierce, Dan Patrick and a ton of other sports media that think we're a big threat to them.

 

[blazerkor]

What does Nas have to do to get on the floor over Mario? Like seriously at this point? The Blazers need energy from the second unit, not sporadic ball handling and bricked open shots.

He would have to be able to do something dynamic on offense even just sometimes because that's all Stotts cares about. I don't think Nas will bring anything to the offensive end but good movement, screens and some offensive rebounds from sheer effort. Defensively Nas would give us some great and much needed minutes but Stotts doesn't give a shit about D. It's the same story with Wenyen.

 

[Scalma]

What does Nas have to do to get on the floor over Mario? Like seriously at this point? The Blazers need energy from the second unit, not sporadic ball handling and bricked open shots.

It’s brutal. Can’t believe he’s sticking with Mario. Mario’s basketball IQ is one of the worst I’ve seen. Dude is just straight up dumb.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

Must win

 

[royo]

Not only Nas should play. Lillard should sit and watch. And if they can't win first game without him, he should sit and watch second game.
While few first games were ay, last three showed that it is Lillard going for 50 or we gone.
If they can't win 1of 2 against Grizzlies without him, it's pointless to go into playoffs.
However, if they go out there and win, team confidence will go up.
If we want to go somewhere in playoffs we have to have team that can win against Memphis sans Lillard.

 

[kjironman1]

we're probably going to beat the Grizz the first game and if we don't we'll definitely beat them in the second game.

No doubts that we beat the grizzlys in game 1, we have a ton of room for improvement and we need to show it

C'mon both of you know better than to post stuff like this...

 

[kjironman1]

Not only Nas should play. Lillard should sit and watch. And if they can't win first game without him, he should sit and watch second game.
While few first games were ay, last three showed that it is Lillard going for 50 or we gone.
If they can't win 1of 2 against Grizzlies without him, it's pointless to go into playoffs.
However, if they go out there and win, team confidence will go up.
If we want to go somewhere in playoffs we have to have team that can win against Memphis sans Lillard.

Wow....
I have absolutely no words? Except Wow.

 

[royo]

Oh well, it's just sad, Terry. You and your little box

 

[Eastoff]

have to win here, and we get 2 days rest

I was wondering, do the L*kers play Tuesday?

 

[illmatic99]

I was wondering, do the L*kers play Tuesday?

yes, 9pm est Tuesday on tnt. And every game is on alternate days after.

Would be massive if we get 2 days.

But Dame made an interesting point yesterday. He said although he's physically tired now, it's not like it is had we come to the playoffs after 82 games. He said he got a ton of rest over the past four months and the cumulative exhaustion is not as bad as it is usually.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Not only Nas should play. Lillard should sit and watch. And if they can't win first game without him, he should sit and watch second game.
While few first games were ay, last three showed that it is Lillard going for 50 or we gone.
If they can't win 1of 2 against Grizzlies without him, it's pointless to go into playoffs.
However, if they go out there and win, team confidence will go up.
If we want to go somewhere in playoffs we have to have team that can win against Memphis sans Lillard.

ya...and the Lakers must play us with Anthony Davis watching.....just because

 

[royo]

It's not just because. It's because Lillard is f***in tired. Because I can see that already: "Blazers could win this series, but Damian and CJ were on their last legs after this phenomenal run of 9 games before playoffs." Memphis are not championship team. If we need another miracle from Lillard to beat them, then good luck against LA.

 

[Jon]

so, question.....

do the stats of this game count towards regular season, post season or do they not count at all?

 

[Darkwebs]

I was wondering, do the L*kers play Tuesday?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Not only Nas should play. Lillard should sit and watch. And if they can't win first game without him, he should sit and watch second game.
While few first games were ay, last three showed that it is Lillard going for 50 or we gone.
If they can't win 1of 2 against Grizzlies without him, it's pointless to go into playoffs.
However, if they go out there and win, team confidence will go up.
If we want to go somewhere in playoffs we have to have team that can win against Memphis sans Lillard.

Stupid post. Lillard has worked his ass off to prepare for a game like this.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

It's not just because. It's because Lillard is f***in tired. Because I can see that already: "Blazers could win this series, but Damian and CJ were on their last legs after this phenomenal run of 9 games before playoffs." Memphis are not championship team. If we need another miracle from Lillard to beat them, then good luck against LA.

So because Jordan played all 82 games, the Bulls should’ve sat him for Game 7 vs the Knicks in 1992? Dude was gambling every night too.