The Grizzlies continue their good streak

THE Grizzlies they continue to ride their great momentum and reap victories. After a more than delicate start to the year, and despite the absence of the trio of Morant-Jerome-Pippen Jr., Memphis now has seven wins in its last nine games after generally outscoring the Blazers in a night without yesterday. At the start of this rebuild, Tuomas Iisalo can be satisfied that he got the best out of his collective with seven players exceeding 10 points and that his team created a real headache for Portland.

The Grizzlies were able to get off to a very strong start, relying on their defense, their transition game and their efficiency near the rim to gain a quick lead. It was especially 20-3 to illustrate the strength of the local team (30-10). Then the interior dominance of Grizzlies Jock Landale, Santi Aldama and Zach Eddy kept Portland within striking distance until Jaren Jackson Jr.’s dunk in transition made it 62-39 just before halftime.

The deficit was already significant at halftime (66-46), but you have to believe that Memphis likes to play scared, as Portland started the third quarter with a completely different dynamic, taking a 21-6 lead in five minutes to get back to -5 (72-67)! Despite the pressure and a little disturbance, the locals immediately regained control, first through Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells, and then through the relay provided by the KCP-Aldama duo to regain a comfortable lead of their team (90-73) in less than five minutes.

The ensuing 10-2 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Santi Aldama, ended the Blazers’ last hopes, then fell 16 lengths six minutes from time (102-86). Cam Spencer and Jalen Wells’ late 3-pointers allowed Memphis to see the end of the game without pressure and eventually win 119-96.

The deal was completed before a little rest (no game before Friday) and the opportunity to get Ja Morant back to work to finish off a very rich 2025…

WHAT TO REMEMBER

The Grizzlies start. Memphis took care of their start to try and make it easy for them and used their strong moments early in the match to get everyone involved. Without necessarily being overwhelming, Tuomas Iisal’s men got the job done, from defending to attacking efficiency, especially near the circle. We will especially remember the versatility of the weapons of the Grizzlies collective, which allowed the team to achieve the best first half of the season.

The Blazers’ response remains unanswered. 21-6 in five minutes, the Grizzlies started to get angry, we believed that Portland would be able to turn the situation around and try to win until the end. But the improvement in Tiago Splitter’s men’s game was short-lived. The Blazers were quickly back in the water after that and weren’t even able to maintain suspense until the money time. Clearly a match to forget for Danny Avdia’s gang, who we saw much more inspired and aggressive than last night.

La dominance is the Landama-Edei trio. With the diversity of the collective, this is undoubtedly a big positive point of the evening. The Grizzlies’ three “big men” took turns dominating the debates, each in their own style, especially to create a gap early in the game. Zach Eddy brought his deterrent and finishing power close to the circle with his screen play, Jock Landale also oxygenated the Grizzlies racket with his right choices, finishing or passing, and what about Santi Aldama, always so comfortable offensively and finishing as the game’s leading scorer almost without having to push his talent. The trio performed, nearly eclipsing Jaren Jackson Jr.’s understated matchup, though he was expected to be the team’s leader in Ja Morant’s absence.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.