Looking for Redemption: Grizz vs Trailblazers Game Preview

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Elizabeth Smith

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The Memphis Grizzlies are now sitting on a 3-6 record at #12 in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Wednesday night they suffered a 16 point defeat in Memphis to the Golden State Warriors. Yes, the same Warriors that beat them by 50 on November 2^nd. They face off tonight against the Portland Trailblazers (#11 in the West) who are 4-5 and just lost Wednesday night to the Spurs.

The Grizz lost to the Trailblazers in Moda Center back on November 5^th by 19. Grizz shot 50% from beyond the arc in the first half including 3/3 from deep for Courtney Lee. In the first half the Grizz were outrebounded 27-20, bested in points in the paint 24-14, and beaten in second chance points 11-4. The second half started fine, but then lack of sufficient defense caught up with them. CJ McCollum and Damien Lillard combined for 47 points and went 11/17 from 3 while the Grizzlies AS A TEAM went 7/20. There is no chance that you can win a ballgame with that big of a disparity in shooting numbers.

Grizzlies Notes:

*The Grizzlies are struggling on the offensive end and this is apparent to everyone with eyes. They are averaging 90.2ppg on 39.9% shooting. They are shooting only 25.8% from 3.

*The last 9 quarters have been encouraging for fans of the team, as it looks at times that our Grizz are finally back. That defensive presence that we have all grown to respect has shown up, but unfortunately the ability to put the ball through the hoop has not.

*The Grizzlies are currently 30^th in the league in points per game and 25^th in rebounds per game.

*Mike Conley is scoring 12.7ppg. In the last meeting with Portland he scored 7 points on 25% shooting and missed both of his 3point attempts.

*Zach Randolph is averaging 14.8ppg. He went for 16 points and 10 rebounds in the last meeting with Portland.

Portland Notes:

*The Trail Blazers have lost 3 straight games after their 3 game win streak.

*They are averaging 103.4ppg on 46.4% shooting and 37.2% from beyond the arc.

*Damien Lillard is 4^th in the NBA in points per game averaging 26.9ppg, which is a big part of why Portland is 9^th in the NBA in points per game.

*Portland will be without Meyers Leonard, who suffered a dislocated shoulder injury in their game against the Spurs on Wednesday. Leonard scored 14 points on 71.4% shooting and had 5 rebounds in the last meeting with the Grizzlies.

*CJ McCollum hasn’t scored less than 15 points in a game this season. McCollum is shooting 46% this season and 40.4% from 3. The last meeting with Memphis McCollum lit up the Grizz for 20 points, went 4/6 from 3, pulled 4 rebounds, and had 5 assists.

Game Notes:

*Defense, defense, defense. Please play defense, Grizzlies. The fact that the team has been playing mostly consistent defense in the Clippers and Warriors games is encouraging.

*Watch out for Al-Farouq Aminu. He’s averaging 12.7 points and 7.6 rebounds through 9 games.

*Grizz must contain CJ McCollum and Damien Lillard. Allowing them to go off again is bad news for the Grizzlies.

*This will be the first game for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis as members of the Memphis Grizzlies. Let’s let bygones be bygones and welcome Chalmers as a member of the team. The trade is done and he’s here for better or worse.

Grizz fans please don't do the wrong thing and boo Mario Chalmers tonight. Do the right thing and boo CJ McCollum

— Anthony Sain (@SainAsylum) November 13, 2015

*Courtney Lee needs to get back on track after 3 straight bad games. He is 54% from beyond the arc in his career against Portland and scored 18 points and went 3/6 from 3 in their last game.

*Portland’s youth and athleticism drives them. An older, slower team like the Grizz must keep them from getting out in transition so easily. Get back and get the defense set to keep Portland from getting the advantage. Limiting Portland fast breaks will help the Grizz tremendously, as the Blazers are averaging 12.1fbp per game this season.

Is this really a must-win game? Well, it sure feels like it. Apparently our floor general thinks so also.