Memphis Grizzlies At Portland Trail Blazers Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies head to Portland to face a vulnerable Trail Blazers team.
The last game for the Memphis Grizzlies was a heartbreaker to say the least.
A 92-87 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz isn’t a great way to start the new year, but Memphis has a chance to respond against another sub-.500 team in the Portland Trail Blazers.
After the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge Portland decided to undergo a bit of a rebuild around star guard Damian Lillard.
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Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez are gone as well, leaving head coach Terry Stotts focused on a dynamic backcourt pairing between Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
This isn’t an easy game for the Grizzlies because they’re still on the road against a squad capable of putting points on the board, but if Memphis can hone on in a few important keys they’ll walk out with a much-needed win.
Nathan’s Keys To The Game
1. Contest Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum Shot Opportunities
Everything with the Trail Blazers’ offense starts and ends with Lillard and McCollum. Averaging 55.7 points per game together they’re one of the most prolific scoring duos in the NBA.
Both guards can score from anywhere on the floor, be it finishing inside, shooting from the perimeter or using crafty mid-range pull-ups and floaters. Their offensive attacks are complete both on and off the dribble.
It’s not impossible for the Grizzlies to contain both guards, however. Mike Conley and Tony Allen are up for the challenge and both have starred on All-Defense teams in the past.
It’s crucial for both players to contest Lillard and McCollum any chance they get. The Trail Blazer backcourt knows how to move without the ball and run defenders into screens so awareness and communication on defense is crucial to Memphis’ success in this matchup.
2. Force Lillard and McCollum To Pass
The other way to make sure both Portland guards have a lesser impact on the game is by forcing the ball out of their hands with suffocating defense and double teams. Outside of those two the Blazers have decent three-point shooters but none near as prolific.
It’s a pick your poison situation playing Portland, and Conley and Allen must trust the other players around them to do their jobs once the ball leaves the hands of Lillard and McCollum.
3. Make Sure Zach Randolph And Marc Gasol Assert Their Presence Inside
The Trail Blazers don’t have quality post players at the moment. Mason Plumlee, Ed Davis, Noah Vonleh and Meyers Leonard are all nice big men but they lack the experience of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt.
Memphis sports two veteran behemoths in Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Both can do damage anywhere inside the arc and love to play off of each other.
Getting both of them in one-on-one post-up opportunities with Portland’s young front line is one way to ensure better quality shot attempts for an offense that’s sputtered at times this season.
Prediction
The Grizzlies can’t lose this game. They’re struggling with holding on to a playoff spot as it is, and the Western Conference won’t continue staying down as it is.
This is a very winnable game against a growing Portland team despite it being on the road.
As long as Memphis can limit the number of field goal tries from Lillard and McCollum and dominate inside they’ll come out on top in this one. Look for experience and composure to win out here.
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