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3 Staggering Takeaways Behind Memphis Grizzlies’ 99-92 Loss in Portland

By Christian Dudley

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 19: Ivan Rabb #10 of the Memphis Grizzlies rebounds the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 19 , 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 19: Ivan Rabb #10 of the Memphis Grizzlies rebounds the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 19 , 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 19: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball against CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazersat Moda Center on December 19, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – DECEMBER 19: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball against CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazersat Moda Center on December 19, 2018 in Portland, Oregon.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /

Marc Gasol’s Present Absenteeism

Marc Gasol has physically appeared in all 31 of the Memphis Grizzlies’ games thus far in 2018-19, but his three-time NBA All-Star skill set has been missing in action.

Gasol has been in a major offensive slump for nearly all of December. After shooting greater than 50% in the two games prior to facing Portland this week, he returned to rock bottom in this loss.

Though Marc Gasol had just two points through three quarters, he finally asserted himself midway through the final quarter. By then, it was too late. The Trail Blazers had compiled an 11-0 run to begin the last 12 minutes and it was almost a given that the contest was over for Memphis due to their struggles to put points on the board.

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“Passive” described No. 33 on offense through the first 40 or so minutes of the ball game. Marc Gasol’s offensive struggles have been well on his mind as of late — rightfully so — and it appears he is now afraid to shoot the rock.

Mike Conley cannot do it all every night and still lock the Memphis Grizzlies into victory status. He needs his big man counterpart in Gasol if this team is serious about anything other than tanking at this point in the season schedule.

Marc stopped sandbagging it when the game was out of reach. He scored 10 points within the final 6:55 in a variety of ways. It appeared if someone had flipped the switch to “On” for the center.

The effort was not present on either end of the floor by Gasol in this match. His energy was lackluster and it was evident throughout. Memphis was without Joakim Noah due to some soreness, so there was less depth available in Portland.

Grizzlies sophomore Ivan Rabb produced when his number was called, and it would have been nice to see J.B. Bickerstaff hand the young man more playing time being as Marc Gasol did not have it going on at all.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been going as Gasol goes. He needs to step up his game and energy if the team truly wants to end this losing streak any time soon.

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