Blazer's Edge - Blazers 86, Grizzlies 84: Complete CoverageThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2013-01-04T20:56:42-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/36017292013-01-04T20:56:42-08:002013-01-04T20:56:42-08:00Amazing Defense Prevails as Blazers Down Grizzlies
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<figcaption>Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland wins a knock-down, drag-out affair, hotly contested from tip to final horn. Great defense, gutsy rebounding, and some amazing individual plays carry the day.</p> <p>Your Portland Trail Blazers won a knock-down, drag-out battle versus the Memphis Grizzlies tonight. Though they played without starting power forward Zach Randolph, out with "flu-like symptoms", the Grizz gave nothing to the Blazers tonight. Their defense was as impressive as advertised. They hustled. They fought. And every time they took a swipe at the Blazers, the Blazers took a swipe right back.</p>
<p>The game started with Portland exploiting their opponent's chief weakness: turnovers. Portland created easy points off of Memphis miscues, breaking the ice against the solid Grizzlies defense. That defense asserted itself quickly in the person of Marc Gasol, who staked his claim to being one of the best defensive players in the league by bothering the Blazers inside, outside, everywhere the Grizzlies needed help. At varying times he blocked LaMarcus Aldridge, bowled over J.J. Hickson, and forced Damian Lillard into a turnover 40 feet out on the court. The Blazers didn't go through Gasol. Instead they worked around him, taking advantage of his commitment to defense by cleaning up the offensive glass behind him. Thus went the first quarter, after which the score was 25-24, Memphis.</p>
<p>The second period saw some rough play from Portland's bench, apparent fatigue from Portland's starters (evidenced by the speed at which most of them were jogging down the court despite Terry Stotts' frantic waves to hurry), and plenty of points in the paint for Memphis. This was as close as the Grizzlies came to building solid momentum as the Blazers missed threes and committed turnovers while Memphis continued to assault the paint. Wesley Matthews helped calm the Blazers on offense by hitting key shots and Nicolas Batum made a couple defensive plays that only he could make. The play of those two wing players proved enough to keep the Blazers alive. Memphis extended the lead to 3 points at the half but the Blazers were in good shape.</p>
<p>The third period was a battle of power forwards as Marreese Speights beat the Blazers down the court repeatedly for easy buckets and then fanned that flame into a bonfire with his strong halfcourt play. Speights scored 16 in the period, a rush which not only should have made the Grizzlies forget the absence of Randolph, it should have sunk the Blazers. Portland stayed tight in their non-Speights defense, rebounded well, and went through LaMarcus Aldridge for some much needed post offense. Late-period offense by Matthews and Aldridge pushed the Blazers into a tie with Memphis at 72 headed into the final period.</p>
<p>If the Grizzlies couldn't shake the Blazers in three quarters you knew it wasn't going to happen in the fourth. This game was going down to the wire. Portland started the period too far outside on offense but made up for it with heroic rebounding. They never got their inside mojo going but they hit enough shots off of passes to keep up with the Grizz scoring in the paint on the other end. J.J. Hickson's work inside earned him multiple free throws, which he hit. On the other end Memphis got...nothing. The Blazers played defense every bit as well as the Grizzlies, allowing only a dozen points total in the period. The last field goal of the game fell with 3:10 left in the game as Rudy Gay hit a short shot to pull the Grizz within 1, 83-82. After that it was all free throws. The Blazers threatened to give up the game via multiple offensive rebounds allowed to the Grizzlies and by Aldridge making only 1 of 2 free throws with 2 seconds left and the Blazers up by 1 before the shots. But somehow when the Blazers needed the ball Batum or Hickson were always in place. Matthews made an amazing individual defensive stand against Gay in the final 2 seconds, forcing a miss and preserving the win for Portland.</p>
<p>Little in this game will differentiate it statistically. Both teams shot around 40%. The Blazers went 10-27 from distance compared to 2-5 for the Grizzlies but Portland gave all of it back with -8 scored at the line and an 18-point deficit in the paint. Seriously, this was like a boxing match where both guys just kept throwing punch after punch, staggering the opponent every time they connected. The fight went the distance. The Blazers ended up landing 1 or 2 more punches total and that was that. The Grizzlies have nothing to be ashamed about or correct, nor can the Blazers point to too many technical reasons for their victory. This was all about guts, being as hard-nosed as your opponent. That's not always been a Blazer hallmark this year. It was tonight. Great game.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The game balls for this outing belonged to two players, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been in love with the play of Portland's starting wings every night, and for good reason. I've also not been shy about sharing those impressions, as both are trending into veteran territory and have to develop more consistent (good) outings. But man, I was in LOVE with these two tonight. L...O...V...E. My goodness, what performances.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">On a night Portland struggled to find offense, Wesley Matthews took judicious shots and hit them. He went 5-8 from distance, scored a team-high 21 points and poked away 3 steals (turnovers being a huge hitch in the Memphis game plan). Anybody who wonders what people see in Matthews defensively need to rewind the last 22 seconds of this game and watch it over and over again. What he did to Rudy Gay at that 22-second mark was near-unmentionable. Without fouling or reaching he refused to give an inch to the Grizzlies' best scorer when they needed a shot desperately. Amazing. Plus whenever the Blazers seemed to get nervous or out of control on offense throughout the game, Matthews showed up like a wise guru come down off the mountain to make the right play, hit the restorative shot. He was in many ways the team leader tonight.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Speaking of defense, my gosh was Batum impressive tonight. He did plenty of little things well, but in that second quarter when Memphis was threatening to get away, Batum just swallowed them whole. Sometimes he does stuff that would make you say, "Holy *****!" and high-five your neighbor if it happened in a video game. But this wasn't a video game, it was 100% real. Blocking a shot off the backboard so it would carom off into the hands of a teammate and start the Blazers down the floor? Noooooooooooo. He did NOT just do that! And who corralled the critical possession giving the Blazers the ball with 4 seconds left, grabbing the rebound and throwing the ball off of Mike Conley out of bounds? Other than 3 steals and 3-8 shooting from the arc Batum's stat line wasn't much to behold tonight, but don't let that fool you. NICE game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">J.J. Hickson took the worst abuse the Memphis bigs could dish out tonight and still came back at them with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Up until the last few minutes he was a rebounding machine. He also took advantage of their non-mobility with a couple of cuts for dunks. Plus there was a moment about 4 minutes into the third period. Gasol and company had been using Hickson whenever possible and J.J. was obviously aware of the potential of getting his shot blocked on any non-dunk attempt. But finally Gasol went up for a little 3-foot chippy and Hickson rose and swatted it, straight up. It was like, "HUH! Enough of THAT! I can play this game too."</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">LaMarcus Aldridge had a relatively quiet 5-15 offensive performance for 15 points but his mid-range jumpers and occasional post moves were critical in steadying his team. He also had 12 rebounds, 10 defensive, and 5 blocks. Without Aldridge the Blazers don't come close to holding Memphis to 84 points.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Damian Lillard's night was mixed. He shot poorly, forcing it at times but mostly just missing. (5-14, 11 points) He had 8 assists but also 5 turnovers as he looked legitimately surprised at what the Grizzlies were able to do to him off the dribble. On the other hand he had 5 rebounds and Mike Conley's line was 2-8, 6 points, 3 assists. That wasn't all due to Damian's defense but this needs to be said: even though he's still a sub-par defender he has been improving as the season has progressed. If he had played tonight on the defensive end like he did in Game 1 the Blazers would have lost. Other teams still strike gold every time they involve him and J.J. in a pick and roll together, but those moments are becoming more the exception than the rule.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Will Barton had a nice offensive return to Memphis, hitting 2-3 shots in the first half and looking confident.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Joel Freeland had 4 rebounds in 8 minutes but missed his defensive assignment badly at least once, plus he couldn't get above the rim in the lane if they built him an escalator.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">It wasn't Luke Babbitt's finest night. It looked like Memphis was watching for him.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">This was a great win. If the Blazers can follow it up with another tomorrow that's a 3-1 road trip. All of a sudden the 8 of 10 homestand coming up looks full of possibility despite the general strength of opponent. On the other hand it'd be just like the Blazers to win the two games of this trip that they shouldn't have and lose the two games they should have won.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/4/3837672/final-blazers-claw-the-grizzlies-86-84" target="_blank">Timmay's instant recap</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278204" target="_blank">Your Boxscore</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.straightouttavancouver.com/">Straight Outta Vancouver</a> will have interesting things to say about this game, no doubt.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Your <a href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/scoreboard.php" target="_blank">Jersey Contest scoreboard</a><a href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php" target="_blank"> </a>for January and the <a href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php" target="_blank">form for tomorrow's game</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/4/3838086/portland-trail-blazers-vs-memphis-grizzlies-2012-2013Dave Deckard2013-01-04T19:28:56-08:002013-01-04T19:28:56-08:00Final: Blazers Claw the Grizzlies, 86-84
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<figcaption>Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Short version: In a closely-contested grind-it-out game, the Portland Trail Blazers upset the Memphis Grizzlies, minus Zach Randolph.</p> <p>The Blazers starters spread out the stats tonight, with solid nights from all of them. Wesley Matthews led in scoring with 21 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge (15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks), JJ Hickson (19 points, 11 rebounds), Nicolas Batum (15 points) and Damian Lillard (11 points, 8 assists) each had their moments. For Memphis, Marc Gasol was a monster on defense tonight, blocking 8 Blazer shots.</p>
<p><b>First Quarter:</b> Slow start for both teams. Portland started shooting 3-11, Memphis 2-10. Gasol found a way to miss an easy layup, and at the other end, the Blazers botched a 4-on-1 opportunity. Memphis popped out of their mini shooting slump, and a buzzer beater by Gasol gave them a 1 point lead.</p>
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<p>I don't recognize the first two plays by bayless.... he was calm and under control?<br>by <b>Kazper</b></p>
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<p><b>Second Quarter:</b> Something unexpected appeared from the Blazer bench: Energy. Will Barton and Luke Babbitt hit shots, and the Blazers jumped back into the lead early. It didn't last long, as Memphis imposed their will on the game, behind some nice shooting and Gasol blocked shots, forcing a Blazer timeout. Portland came out of the timeout with some more energy, including a stretch with a Blazer turnover, then steal, then alleyoop dunk. They held tough, staying within 3 by halftime.</p>
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<p>Marc Gasol needs more all-star votes<br>by <b>Deltr0n </b></p>
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<p><b>Third Quarter:</b> Two straight Matthews three-pointers gave the Blazers another lead. However, soon Memphis took over again, taking a 6 point lead with 6 minutes left. Again, the Blazers wouldn't go away, as the Grizzlies played well at both ends, but somehow gave up key shots. Aldridge completed a three-point play to tie the game late in the quarter, and a Wesley jumper gave them the lead. However, late Memphis free throws tied the game after three.</p>
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<p>Wes is single-handedly keeping us in the game.<br>by <b>Roy Wonder<br><br></b>Nah, he's using both hands.<br>by <b>permaswoon </b></p>
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<p><b>Fourth Quarter: </b>The Blazers started the fourth by shooting five consecutive three-pointers. This sounds good in theory, but they only made one, and the Grizz were dunking at the other end. Somehow, the Blazers still kept the game tied with 7 minutes left, when more starters returned. Three minutes later, between a few goofy plays from both teams, the game was tied. With three and a half left, Hickson and Batum played a two-man game, leading to a swished three-pointer. The Blazers clung to a one point lead heading into the final two minutes.</p>
<p>On a broken play, Hickson was fouled with 2:01 left and made both free throws, bumping the lead to three. Memphis got four chances to score but missed them all, and at the other end, Batum set up camp near mid-court, then launched a 28-foot three-pointer. Shockingly, it missed. Memphis cut the lead to 1 with two free throws, 53 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, the Blazers gave the ball to Aldridge, who missed an inside jumper. In turn, Memphis gave it to Rudy Gay, who missed, but the Grizz recovered! The shot clock now off, they go for it, but miss again. With seconds left, Batum grabs the board, and is bodied out of bounds... but has the presence of mind to toss the ball off the leg of Mike Conley with three seconds left.</p>
<p>The Blazers took a timeout, and inbounded at half-court. They tried to get the ball to Lillard, but it went to Aldridge, who was fouled with 2 seconds left. He bricked the first. But swished the second. After a timeout, Memphis got one last shot for the win. They attempted a back-door pass, but the Blazers sniffed it out, forcing Memphis to take their last timeout. Afterward, they inbounded to Rudy Gay, who got a jumper for the tie... and missed! The Blazers hugged on the court as they pulled off a big upset, and headed for the locker room.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278204">Box score</a> | <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a> via TiqIQ</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more analysis from Blazer’s Edge later tonight. In the meantime, check out the <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/#schedule_tab">upcoming Blazers schedule</a>. -- Tim [<a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="mailto:blazer.timmay@gmail.com">blazer.timmay@gmail.com</a>]</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/4/3837672/final-blazers-claw-the-grizzlies-86-84Timmay!2013-01-04T16:00:28-08:002013-01-04T16:00:28-08:00Upset tonight? Chat here about Blazers/Grizz!
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<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Back to the road, as the Portland Trail Blazers play the Memphis Grizzlies.</p> <p>Details of tonight's game:</p>
<p><br><br><b>[Note: </b>Zach Randolph is a late scratch due to the flu. And I can confirm the flu is a real pain this year.<b>]</b></p>
<p><b>Tonight’s Tip-off: 5:10pm</b></p>
<p><u>How to watch</u><br> Portland: <b>Comcast Sportsnet Northwest, </b>or <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.nba.com/blazers/stream-games-live">Blazers streaming</a> if CSN is unavailable to you.<br> National: <b>League Pass</b>, <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="https://account.nba.com/leaguepass/broadband">League Pass Broadband</a>.</p>
<p><u>How to listen</u><br> Portland: <b>KEX </b>(1190 AM and 102.3 FM; 1190kex.com does not air the game)<b><br></b>National: <a href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">NBA Audio League Pass</a><a href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p>The usual rules apply:</p>
<p>1. Please don't discuss non-sanctioned game streaming<br> 2. No swearing or pictures<br> 3. Please be cool to each other and don't be "that guy"!</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim (blazer.timmay@gmail.com)</p>
<p><a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a><br><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2012-coverage" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">View complete season game coverage</a><br><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/gameday-threads-2" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">View previous Gameday Threads<br></a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/4/3834352/gameday-thread-blazers-vs-grizzliesTimmay!2013-01-03T18:10:31-08:002013-01-03T18:10:31-08:00Energy Key as Blazers Wrestle Grizzlies
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<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Memphis defense is a sight to behold but turnovers could be the undoing of one of the Western Conference's hottest teams as they face the quick-handed Portland Trail Blazers.</p> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers' super-interesting road trip continues today with a visit to Memphis to play the Grizzlies. The game starts at 5:00 p.m. and will be televised on CSNNW.</p>
<p>I say "super-interesting" because this trip features teams the Blazers haven't met yet this year plus teams with interesting storylines behind them. The Knicks had been on a tear before they met the Blazers and were returning a couple of stars. The Raptors have turned their season around against sub-par teams, of which the Blazers proved a classic example. And now we greet the Grizzlies, currently 20-9, paired with Golden State as relatively unheralded teams who are ripping up the conference.</p>
<p>In case you haven't checked in with the Grizz for a couple years, they're performing these feats of heroic derring-do on the back of a consistently great defense. That's right. I said "de", not "off". And yes, it's Memphis. Gone are the days of the 132-128 victory. The Grizzlies have allowed an opponent 100 points just once this season. ONCE. That was a disastrous 98-121 wilting under the Rockets' red glare. And lest you think the parsimonious point allowance is solely pace-based, they play at roughly the same pace as the Blazers. By comparison the Blazers have allowed triple digits to 14 opponents so far this season.</p>
<p>Oh heck, let's take it further. The Grizzlies have held opponents under <i>90 </i>in 14 of their 29 contests. They're the only team in the league with fewer than 90 points allowed on average per game. Trying to score against this team is like trying to grow watermelons in a desert. You can put in the work, but don't get your hopes up.</p>
<p>The Grizzlies are 1st in the league in points allowed, 7th in points in the paint allowed, 7th in FG% allowed, 10th in 3PT% allowed, 6th in Effective FG% allowed, and 2nd in turnovers forced per game and per possession. If they have an Achilles' Heel it's transition defense. They allow tons of points on the break, which is not wholly surprising considering the type of player in their rotation. Most nights that's a blip on the radar. They may give up 15 on the run, but when you only score 90 total, what's the difference?</p>
<p>Fortunately for the rest of the league, the Grizzlies' offense is only average as a whole. They're good in the paint, bad from the field overall, average from the three-point arc. Surprisingly for a talented and relatively athletic team, they don't draw many fouls. Their paint-based play depends on bigs and offensive rebounds (at which they're the best in the league) more than penetration. They'd do better with a more aggressive attack off the dribble. Then again, when 90 points is the bar jump shots and offensive boards will do most of the time.</p>
<p>Besides the lack of consistent penetration and foul-drawing, the Grizzlies are handicapped by a high turnover rate. They get those back through steals and forced turnovers, but it's still not a happy stat for a team that doesn't run and doesn't generate huge offensive numbers.</p>
<p>Plenty of individual Grizzlies can put up huge games, though. Rudy Gay leads them in scoring with 18 per game, well off from the near-20 we've come to expect from him. He's still getting the same number of shots but his field goal percentage is way down. He's always been an outside-heavy player and that's getting worse as he ages. Zach Randolph, on the other hand, is shooting brilliantly and rebounding like the second coming of Moses Malone. He's averaging nearly 5 offensive rebounds <i>per game</i>. That's most teams' entire starting frontcourt combined into one. Mike Conley has blossomed into an amazing three-point shooter, an occasionally-explosive scorer, and his timing is veering towards impeccable...especially on his good nights. Marc Gasol is a good clean-up man at center. Tony Allen defends. Marreese Speights and Darrell Arthur provide forward punch off the bench while Wayne Ellington and Jerryd Bayless fill in wing minutes for injured three-point specialist Quincy Pondexter. Any of those guys outside of Ellington could put the hurt on you if you're not careful.</p>
<p>The Blazers will probably need to key on Memphis' proclivity for turnovers and their weakness against the break tonight. For all the improvements they've made in the last couple of years, this team still features players susceptible to getting out-hustled everywhere but the offensive glass. Portland has to find a way to keep Memphis out of the paint and especially away from those offensive boards. If you can secure the rebound against them you'll find a relatively easy outlet as their bigs are all going for the ball under the hoop. Ball movement will be a key for the Blazers. You have to move those defenders and tire them out a little. If the Blazers walk down and set up individual dribble jumpers the Grizzlies will stand still, defend the percentages, and happily watch the Blazers sink enough shots to score 92. Portland has to get Randolph and Gay moving laterally, make Conley worry as much about defending as setting up or scoring, get Gasol out of the lane and roaming.</p>
<p>Sum up all of that and you'll find that energy is the key. The Blazers can't match Memphis' talent and experience but those gaps don't make the Grizz invulnerable. Run them, make them work, then work a little harder and move a little faster yourself. That's going to give you a chance at this win.</p>
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<p><b>Note: Jason Quick</b> of <b>The Oregonian</b> <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2013/01/blazers_rundown_lamarcus_aldridge_will_test_his_al.html" target="_blank">reports</a> that Blazers center Meyers Leonard will not play on Friday against the Grizzlies or Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves as he continues to recover from a badly sprained ankle suffered in <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/12/30/3816260/media-row-report-blazers-89-sixers-85" target="_blank">a recent win over the Philadelphia 76ers</a>.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.straightouttavancouver.com/">Straight Outta Vancouver</a> talks about the Grizzlies.</p>
<p>Your<a target="_blank" href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php"> Jersey Contest Form </a>for this game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040" target="_blank">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/3/3833460/portland-trail-blazers-vs-memphis-grizzlies-2012-2013Dave Deckard