Game Preview: Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies
On Friday night at 10 p.m. EST, the Portland Trail Blazers are set to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in Portland, Oregon, hoping to snap a disappointing six-game losing streak. Currently, the Trail Blazers hold an overall record of 23 wins and 28 losses, placing them 10th in the competitive Western Conference.
Team Performance
In a season marked by inconsistency, Portland has managed to maintain an 18-15 record against Western Conference teams, although they struggle significantly in games decided by 10 points or more, having won only 9 out of 21 such contests.
The Grizzlies, with a record of 19-29, sit just below the Trail Blazers at 11th in the same conference. They have mustered a 16-17 record in intra-conference play and have shown a reasonably strong performance from beyond the arc, hitting around 34.9% of their three-point attempts, which ranks them ninth in the conference in that category.
Three-Point Shooting
In a key aspect of their matchup, both teams exhibit a strikingly similar performance regarding three-pointers. The Grizzlies average 13.4 three-pointers made per game, which is slightly higher than the 13.2 shots that Portland allows, while the Trail Blazers are responsible for 14.1 made triples per game.
Previous Encounter
This game marks the second encounter between these two teams this season, with Memphis securing a decisive 119-96 victory in their initial matchup on December 7.
Individual Performances
As for individual performances, Shaedon Sharpe leads the Trail Blazers with an impressive average of 21.8 points per game, while Jerami Grant has contributed 13.6 points per game over the last ten outings. On the opposing side, Cedric Coward has been a key player for the Grizzlies, averaging 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, while GG Jackson has added 10.8 points with a sharp shooting percentage of 53.6% in his past ten games.
Recent Form
When analyzing the recent form of both teams, the Trail Blazers have only managed four wins against six losses in their last ten games. They’ve averaged 112.9 points per match while allowing their opponents to score 115.1 points. Conversely, the Grizzlies’ recent record shows only two wins in their last ten games, averaging a higher 116.8 points but conceding 120.2 points per game against them, highlighting their defensive struggles.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, both teams face notable challenges. Portland’s roster concerns include Deni Avdija (day to day, back), Scoot Henderson (day to day, hamstring), and Matisse Thybulle (out, knee), among others, with star Damian Lillard now sidelined for the season due to an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will be without Kyle Anderson (illness), Ja Morant (elbow), and several others, which adds further pressure on their remaining squad.
Conclusion
As both teams look to improve their standing in the Western Conference, this match promises to be an important one for Portland to regain momentum and for Memphis to assert their competitive edge despite roster challenges.
