GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBESSEE MORE ON GRIZZLYBEARBLUES.COM THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a close loss, a rough one, or even a big win, he preached the IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Clarke was struggling after the All-Star break. Before his first DNP-CD stint, he was averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52.3% shooting over GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW Game 4 Quick Recap: Grizzlies fall to Jazz 120-113, now down 3-1. The season is on the line in Utah Wednesday. At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY REPORT CARD: JAZZ OUTSHOOT GRIZZLIES IN GAME 2 The score is a little misleading as the second half was closer than the final score would indicate, but ultimately the Jazz 3-point shooting was a major factor in their win as they made 19 triples REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SHOW URGENCY IN WIN OVER RAPTORSAUTHOR: JOE

MULLINAX

However, Melton caught fire from range in the fourth and hit five threes, scoring all 15 of his points in the last 12 minutes of the game. The Grizzlies needed his hot hand to help them put THE TRIALS OF JUSTISE WINSLOW The ones that “make it” are freaks of nature and the top 1% in their craft which, in a way, can cause them to lose their humanity to those that didn’t make it. Winslow is one of those cases REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Report Card: Grizz Suffer Ugly Loss to Orlando. Brutal Loss. This was a game where it felt like the Grizzlies were in control, and you look up and the Magic are within striking distance. But, you GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBESSEE MORE ON GRIZZLYBEARBLUES.COM THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a close loss, a rough one, or even a big win, he preached the IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Clarke was struggling after the All-Star break. Before his first DNP-CD stint, he was averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52.3% shooting over GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW Game 4 Quick Recap: Grizzlies fall to Jazz 120-113, now down 3-1. The season is on the line in Utah Wednesday. At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY REPORT CARD: JAZZ OUTSHOOT GRIZZLIES IN GAME 2 The score is a little misleading as the second half was closer than the final score would indicate, but ultimately the Jazz 3-point shooting was a major factor in their win as they made 19 triples REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SHOW URGENCY IN WIN OVER RAPTORSAUTHOR: JOE

MULLINAX

However, Melton caught fire from range in the fourth and hit five threes, scoring all 15 of his points in the last 12 minutes of the game. The Grizzlies needed his hot hand to help them put THE TRIALS OF JUSTISE WINSLOW The ones that “make it” are freaks of nature and the top 1% in their craft which, in a way, can cause them to lose their humanity to those that didn’t make it. Winslow is one of those cases REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Report Card: Grizz Suffer Ugly Loss to Orlando. Brutal Loss. This was a game where it felt like the Grizzlies were in control, and you look up and the Magic are within striking distance. But, you GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.

JAREN JACKSON JR.

1 day ago · Before we evaluate his 2021 season, let’s rewind. Let’s go to August 8, 2020 in the NBA Bubble to be exact. The Memphis Grizzlies have lost three in a row, but there is a silver

lining - Jaren

GBB PODCASTS: A SEASON TO REVIEW AND REMEMBER 1 day ago · The Memphis Grizzlies’ season has come to an unfortunate end. Not unfortunate because of the result of the season, but because it’s actually over. Despite the first-round exit, it was

still a

HOW THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES SHOCKED THE WORLD The Memphis Grizzlies were picked by very few NBA prognosticators to do very much in this first round series in the 2021 NBA Playoffs with the Utah Jazz. To the outsider, the match-up was a THE BOTTOM LINE OF DILLON BROOKS For my Grizzlies summer vacation, I’m buying a one-way ticket to Dillon Brooks Island. That’s of course as long as the creators and gatekeepers GBB’s Parker Fleming and 92.9’s Connor GRIZZLIES SEASON REVIEWS: “THE OTHER GUYS” The Memphis Grizzlies end what was a fantastic season, and in doing so, officially declared the rise of a new era. Now let’s review rest of the prospects who people may not be as familiar with MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES EXIT INTERVIEW TAKEAWAYS The Memphis Grizzlies season came to its conclusion on Wednesday night after a loss to the Utah Jazz.Despite the tough outcome, the season

was a

GRIZZ GAMING PREVIEW: A TALE OF TWO RECORDS FACE OFF What didn’t go Grizz Gaming’s way in week one? Grizz Gaming comes into week two looking to build off of a very successful week one — sweeping Heat Check Gaming, then splitting their night THE TRIALS OF JUSTISE WINSLOW The ones that “make it” are freaks of nature and the top 1% in their craft which, in a way, can cause them to lose their humanity to those that didn’t make it. Winslow is one of those cases MEMPHIS HAS A JUSTISE WINSLOW PROBLEM Justise Winslow is currently averaging: 19.9 min/gm (22 gms) 20.9% USG. 38.2 TS%. Going back at least 25 yrs, no one has ever put up such bad offensive numbers while playing so GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. THE BOTTOM LINE OF DILLON BROOKS 18 hours ago · For my Grizzlies summer vacation, I’m buying a one-way ticket to Dillon Brooks Island. That’s of course as long as the creators and gatekeepers GBB’s Parker Fleming and 92.9’s

Connor

REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBES The writing was on the wall early in Game 5. However, while there were some disappointing aspects to the Grizzlies game plan in general, a few players once again arrived and delivered. In our last THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a close loss, a rough one, or even a big win, he preached the IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Brandon Clarke didn’t have the sophomore leap many expected or hoped for. When you have a historically efficient rookie season like he did for the Memphis Grizzlies, the bar is pretty high. A GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in the entire NBA Playoffs. Every time the Memphis Grizzlies made a run at the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of their first round NBA Playoff series, Jazz QUICK RECAP: THE GRIZZLIES PREVAIL OVER THE PELICANS The Memphis Grizzlies welcomed their rivals, the New Orelans Pelicans, to FedExForum on Monday Night. While both teams were still alive for the play-in tournament in the Western Conference MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GAME PREVIEW Grizz Look for Much-needed Win in Minnesota. WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (32-32, 18-14 away) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45, 12-20 home) THE TRIALS OF JUSTISE WINSLOW Do you know anyone that was simply born to do what they do for a living? Justise Winslow is one of those people. Winslow is the youngest of a family filled with athletes. REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Kyle Anderson – 21 points (7-10 shooting, 3-5 3-pt), 4 rebounds, 2 assists – B. The second quarter belonged to Kyle Anderson. He scored 10 of his 21 points in that quarter, and it came all it GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. THE BOTTOM LINE OF DILLON BROOKS 18 hours ago · For my Grizzlies summer vacation, I’m buying a one-way ticket to Dillon Brooks Island. That’s of course as long as the creators and gatekeepers GBB’s Parker Fleming and 92.9’s

Connor

REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBES The writing was on the wall early in Game 5. However, while there were some disappointing aspects to the Grizzlies game plan in general, a few players once again arrived and delivered. In our last THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a close loss, a rough one, or even a big win, he preached the IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Brandon Clarke didn’t have the sophomore leap many expected or hoped for. When you have a historically efficient rookie season like he did for the Memphis Grizzlies, the bar is pretty high. A GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in the entire NBA Playoffs. Every time the Memphis Grizzlies made a run at the Utah Jazz in Game 4 of their first round NBA Playoff series, Jazz QUICK RECAP: THE GRIZZLIES PREVAIL OVER THE PELICANS The Memphis Grizzlies welcomed their rivals, the New Orelans Pelicans, to FedExForum on Monday Night. While both teams were still alive for the play-in tournament in the Western Conference MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GAME PREVIEW Grizz Look for Much-needed Win in Minnesota. WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (32-32, 18-14 away) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45, 12-20 home) THE TRIALS OF JUSTISE WINSLOW Do you know anyone that was simply born to do what they do for a living? Justise Winslow is one of those people. Winslow is the youngest of a family filled with athletes. REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Kyle Anderson – 21 points (7-10 shooting, 3-5 3-pt), 4 rebounds, 2 assists – B. The second quarter belonged to Kyle Anderson. He scored 10 of his 21 points in that quarter, and it came all it GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. THE REALIZED POTENTIAL OF KYLE ANDERSON Kyle Anderson took a leap this season. A lot of it is credited to his emergence as an outside threat, shooting 36% from 3 and quadrupling his career-best in total 3’s made. One of the biggest SB NATION REACTS: MEMPHIS IS FULLY CONFIDENT IN THEIR Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Memphis Grizzlies fans and fans across the GRIZZLIES SEASON REVIEWS: “THE OTHER GUYS” 1 day ago · The Memphis Grizzlies end what was a fantastic season, and in doing so, officially declared the rise of a new era. Now let’s review rest of the prospects who people may not be as familiar

with

THE BOTTOM LINE OF DILLON BROOKS 18 hours ago · For my Grizzlies summer vacation, I’m buying a one-way ticket to Dillon Brooks Island. That’s of course as long as the creators and gatekeepers GBB’s Parker Fleming and 92.9’s

Connor

THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY From Public Enemy #1 to a "Hooper" “Only in the movies & Memphis” is a quote that OG Grizzlies fans will always tie to late Grizzlies announcer Don Poier. BASKETBALL, EXPECTED GOALS, AND WAR: QUANTIFYING SHOOTING Year_index: This is a reference to the number of seasons from the base season. The base season is the season we are testing (more on that a little later), so it will be set at 0, with one year GRIZZ GAMING PREVIEW: A TALE OF TWO RECORDS FACE OFF What didn’t go Grizz Gaming’s way in week one? Grizz Gaming comes into week two looking to build off of a very successful week one — sweeping Heat Check Gaming, then splitting their night REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Kyle Anderson – 21 points (7-10 shooting, 3-5 3-pt), 4 rebounds, 2 assists – B. The second quarter belonged to Kyle Anderson. He scored 10 of his 21 points in that quarter, and it came all it GRIZZ GAMING TIPS OFF THEIR 2021 SEASON TONIGHT Grizz Gaming General Manager and Head Coach Lang Whitaker faced the media for the first time Monday since 2K League Draft a little over a

month

GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBES The writing was on the wall early in Game 5. However, while there were some disappointing aspects to the Grizzlies game plan in general, a few players once again arrived and delivered. In our last THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images. “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Clarke was struggling after the All-Star break. Before his first DNP-CD stint, he was averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52.3% shooting over GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW Game 4 Quick Recap: Grizzlies fall to Jazz 120-113, now down 3-1. The season is on the line in Utah Wednesday. At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES SHOCK JAZZ, WIN GAME ONE 112-109 Nearly 10 years after the Grit ‘N’ Grind Grizzlies broke through to their first playoff win, the current iteration of the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the Donovan Mitchell-less Utah Jazz 112-109 THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. UTAH JAZZ GAME PREVIEW: GAME 1SEE MORE ON GRIZZLYBEARBLUES.COM MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GAME PREVIEW Grizz Look for Much-needed Win in Minnesota. WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (32-32, 18-14 away) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45, 12-20 home) REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Report Card: Grizz Suffer Ugly Loss to Orlando. Brutal Loss. This was a game where it felt like the Grizzlies were in control, and you look up and the Magic are within striking distance. But, you GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES, A MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES COMMUNITY Your best source for quality Memphis Grizzlies news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective. REPORT CARD: GRIZZLIES SEASON ENDS, BUT POSITIVE VIBES The writing was on the wall early in Game 5. However, while there were some disappointing aspects to the Grizzlies game plan in general, a few players once again arrived and delivered. In our last THE LONG VIEW: MEMPHIS’ BIGGEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITY OF ALL Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images. “Growth opportunity” has been a phrase mentioned in media scrums all season long from Coach Taylor Jenkins. Whether it was a IT’S TIME TO FREE BRANDON CLARKE Clarke was struggling after the All-Star break. Before his first DNP-CD stint, he was averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 52.3% shooting over GAME 4 QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES FALL TO JAZZ 120-113, NOW Game 4 Quick Recap: Grizzlies fall to Jazz 120-113, now down 3-1. The season is on the line in Utah Wednesday. At some point, you tip your cap to the #1 seed in QUICK RECAP: GRIZZLIES SHOCK JAZZ, WIN GAME ONE 112-109 Nearly 10 years after the Grit ‘N’ Grind Grizzlies broke through to their first playoff win, the current iteration of the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the Donovan Mitchell-less Utah Jazz 112-109 THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. UTAH JAZZ GAME PREVIEW: GAME 1SEE MORE ON GRIZZLYBEARBLUES.COM MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GAME PREVIEW Grizz Look for Much-needed Win in Minnesota. WHO: Memphis Grizzlies (32-32, 18-14 away) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45, 12-20 home) REPORT CARD: GRIZZ SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO ORLANDO Report Card: Grizz Suffer Ugly Loss to Orlando. Brutal Loss. This was a game where it felt like the Grizzlies were in control, and you look up and the Magic are within striking distance. But, you THE BOTTOM LINE OF DILLON BROOKS 17 hours ago · For my Grizzlies summer vacation, I’m buying a one-way ticket to Dillon Brooks Island. That’s of course as long as the creators and gatekeepers GBB’s Parker Fleming and 92.9’s

Connor

THE LONG VIEW: TO CONSOLIDATE AND CONTEND The final horn sounded in a tough, hard fought playoff match on the enemy’s turf & the Jazz take game two in Salt Lake City 141-129. However, the Memphis Grizzlies made one thing clear - they SB NATION REACTS: MEMPHIS IS FULLY CONFIDENT IN THEIR Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged-in Memphis Grizzlies fans and fans across the HOW THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES SHOCKED THE WORLD The Memphis Grizzlies were picked by very few NBA prognosticators to do very much in this first round series in the 2021 NBA Playoffs with the Utah Jazz. To the outsider, the match-up was a GRIZZLIES SEASON REVIEWS: “THE OTHER GUYS” 1 day ago · The Memphis Grizzlies end what was a fantastic season, and in doing so, officially declared the rise of a new era. Now let’s review rest of the prospects who people may not be as familiar

with

GRIZZ GAMING PREVIEW: A TALE OF TWO RECORDS FACE OFF What didn’t go Grizz Gaming’s way in week one? Grizz Gaming comes into week two looking to build off of a very successful week one — sweeping Heat Check Gaming, then splitting their night BASKETBALL, EXPECTED GOALS, AND WAR: QUANTIFYING SHOOTING Year_index: This is a reference to the number of seasons from the base season. The base season is the season we are testing (more on that a little later), so it will be set at 0, with one year THE GRAYSON ALLEN REDEMPTION STORY The Grayson Allen redemption story. “Only in the movies & Memphis” is a quote that OG Grizzlies fans will always tie to late Grizzlies announcer Don Poier. That quote has kept a relevant place GBB PODCASTS: PLAY-IN PREVIEW The Memphis Grizzlies are a day away from the play-in tournament, and the GBB podcast network put something together. Parker Fleming, Justin Lewis, and Ben Hogan — hosts of the “Core 4 REPORT CARD: JAZZ OUTSHOOT GRIZZLIES IN GAME 2 The score is a little misleading as the second half was closer than the final score would indicate, but ultimately the Jazz 3-point shooting was a major factor in their win as they made 19 triples Skip to main content clock menu more-arrow no yes Grizzly Bear Blues homepage Horizontal - White Grizzly Bear Blues a Memphis Grizzlies community FOLLOW GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES ONLINE: * Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Twitter * Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Facebook

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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GAME PREVIEW

0 New,

7 comments

The Grizzlies look to go into the break with a big win over the Trail

Blazers

By bcabraham @bcabraham Feb 12, 2020, 7:00am CST

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* Share this on Facebook (opens in new window) * Share this on Twitter (opens in new window) * Share All sharing options SHARE ALL SHARING OPTIONS FOR: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES GAME PREVIEW * Reddit (opens in new window) * Pocket (opens in new window) * Flipboard (opens in new window) * Email (opens in new window) Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via

Getty Images

WHO: PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

(25-30,

10-19 AWAY) VS. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

(27-26, 15-13

HOME)

WHEN: 7:00 PM CT

WHERE: FEDEXFORUM IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST/92.9 FM ESPN MEMPHIS

_INJURY REPORT:_

_PORTLAND- __Mario Hezonja_

_

(Questionable, ankle), __Nassir Little_

_

(Questionable, ankle), __Rodney Hood_

_ (Out,

achilles), __Zach Collins_

_ (Out,

shoulder), __Jusuf Nurkic_

_ (Out,

leg)_

_MEMPHIS- __Grayson Allen_

_ (Out,

hip), __Justise Winslow_

_ (Out,

back)_

_PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:_ _PORTLAND- __DAMIAN LILLARD_

_, __CJ

MCCOLLUM_ _,

__TREVOR ARIZA_

_, __CARMELO

ANTHONY_

_,

__HASSAN WHITESIDE_

_MEMPHIS- __JA MORANT_

_, __DILLON

BROOKS_ _,

__KYLE ANDERSON_

_, __JAREN

JACKSON JR._

_,

__JONAS VALANCIUNAS_

_ _

TRAIL BLAZERS VS. GRIZZLIES: A VERY IMPORTANT GAME ------------------------- The Grizzlies are set to host the red hot Portland Trail Blazers in their final game before the All-Star Break this upcoming weekend. The Grizzlies hold a slim 3 game lead over the Trail Blazers for the 8th seed in the Western Conference standings. With tonight's game being the first in the season series, the winner will take a big step towards clinching a potential tie-breaker assuming both these teams are still fighting for the playoffs in a couple of months. After disappointing for most of the season, the Trail Blazers have made a run for the playoffs thanks in large part to Damian Lillard

’s MVP

type performance over the past few weeks. Even after the trade deadline, the Grizzlies are still good enough to hold off the Blazers and make a surprise appearance in the postseason but it won’t come

easy.

What will it take for the Grizzlies to come away with a big time win heading into All-Star Weekend? Let’s take a look. CONTAIN THE “OTHER” GUYS Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY

Sports

Damian Lillard

is going

to put up monster numbers tonight. Nobody has been able to slow him down over the last few weeks. Going into last nights matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans

, Lillard

averaged

41.5 points, 9.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds over the last 10 games. He’s been on another level. The key for the Grizzlies is to not allow the other Blazers to beat you. Known Grizzly killer CJ McCollum

is always a

threat to go off, so the Grizzlies will need to be sure to lock him

up. Carmelo Anthony

has

revived his career in Portland. Melo, along with McCollum

, Ariza

, Whiteside

and Gary Trent Jr.

form a

nice supporting cast alongside Lillard

. If the

Grizzlies can slow those guys down, they should be able to overcome what will presumably be another great performance from Lillard.

ATTACK THE PAINT

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY

Sports

With Lillard likely to go supernova, the Grizzlies will need to be sure to attack the paint and get easy baskets. With the Grizzlies shooting just 23.8% from beyond the arc over their past 5 games, a 3-point shootout with the Trail Blazers would likely end horribly. Luckily for the Grizzlies, the Trail Blazers lack depth down low with both Hassan Whiteside and Caleb Swanigan

being the

lone true “big men” for the Blazers. Neither of them are known for their defensive prowess so the Grizzlies should be able to take full advantage. Jonas Valanciunas

and

Jaren Jackson Jr.

should

be able to bully Portland on the block. Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks

should

also be able to get some easy mid-range shots attacking the Portland big men in the pick and roll. Attacking the paint will put the Portland defense on skates and should give them some easy looks at the basket which will help offset Lillard’s production.

THE PREDICTION

Nelson

Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Tonight’s matchup is big for both the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers. It could have major implications on the playoff race, and will also allow one team to go into the All-Star break feeling pretty good about themselves. The Trail Blazers have been hot as of late thanks to Lillard but the Grizzlies are still pretty darn good themselves. Lillard is going to get his points, but I think the Grizzlies bench is deep enough to help carry the Grizzlies to victory. The Grizzlies bench is one of the top 10 scoring benches in the league while the Trail Blazers bench just has Gary Trent Jr.

to worry

about, barring a surprise performance by an end of bench guy. It will be close, but the home court (the only time against Portland this season Memphis will be at home) and bench advantage should be enough to push the Grizzlies to victory, especially with Portland on the second night of a back-to-back. GRIZZLIES 125, TRAIL BLAZERS 120 Follow @sbnGrizzlies MORE FROM GRIZZLY BEAR BLUES * Team USA defeats Team World in the Rising Stars Game * The Memphis Grizzlies are almost famous * Lineups to watch post All-Star Break: Part 1 * GBBLive: 2020 All-Star Weekend vibes * Report Card: Grizzlies Hold on to 8th with Win * Full Recap: Memphis Grizzlies win very important game

MOST READ

*

Team USA defeats Team World in the Rising Stars Game Morant, Clarke, and Jackson represent Memphis as Team USA defeats Team World

*

The Memphis Grizzlies are almost famous Tonight, the country gets a glimpse at our golden gods

*

Lineups to watch post All-Star Break: Part 1 The sample size is small, but the production is so intriguing and worth taking a look at.

*

Core Four: What is a Grant Williams? Shawn Coleman joins Nathan Chester to discuss the Grizzlies’ monumental win over Portland as well as the NBA future of

Grant Williams.

*

Report Card: Grizzlies Hold on to 8th with Win Grizzlies top Portland in key match-up

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