Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers

When: Friday, November 3rd, 9:00 PM CST

Where: NBA In-Season Tournament, Group Play, Moda Center, Portland, OR

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

Zero wins. Five losses. It doesn’t feel the best, does it? What about if we say it backwards? Five losses. Zero wins. Nope. Still feels crappy. 

It’s been a while since we’ve been here, hasn’t it? Remember deja vu? I’m talking about the French phenomenon involving an illusory memory or experience. Not the Denzel Washington action flick from the aughts. Remember? 

Travel back to the ’02-’03 season with me. That was the last time that Memphis started 0-5. How many wins did that team have on the season? Twenty-eight. And the man, the myth, the legend—Brevin Knight—was still on the team. 

Did they make the playoffs this year? Absolutely not. That doesn’t mean teams that start 0-5 are incapable of salvaging a season. But it is tough, and like really, really tough.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in a similar position—2-3 record—at the bottom of the Western Conference barrel. As such expect this game to be… a game. Look, if any of us had a firm grasp on the In-Season Tournament—I don’t, and don’t lie and say you do—maybe this game would be more interesting.

At this point all I care about is putting this “zero wins” talk behind us after today. Besides… Six losses sounds fouler than five no matter how you slice it.

Can ‘Nardo’ Revert to From After Return?

It’s about time we got some good news out of the Front Office. When Memphis released their injury report for the Jazz game I noticed one name left off: Luke Kennard. 

After being in concussion protocol and missing the last three games for Memphis, ‘Nardo’ returned to action on Wednesday. As this team is currently in last place in the league, his return couldn’t have come sooner albeit to very little fanfare in terms of performance.

The Grizzlies and their 27th-ranked offense are in desperate need of a jolt. Not that I would describe Luke’s play—in two regular, five preseason games—as electrifying. Yet, he’s still the best option available off the bench for this squad. 

Despite his recent cold streak, Kennard remains the league leader in 3PT% two years in a row. That level of consistency can’t be easy to abandon. Have you tried shooting a three-pointer recently? If not I challenge you to get a ball, go to your local hoop, and shoot over. And over. And over. And over. 

loading…….. pic.twitter.com/WKReGfvlUw

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 2, 2023

You’ll notice the degree of difficulty that accompanies the quest for consistent shooting. And if you don’t, can we please sign you to the squad? We could use that level of offensive firepower. Look, I don’t mean to mock, but the way I see it… It’s not a matter of if  ‘Cool Hand’ Luke gets hot but when will it happen.

If not it’s going to be a long season. As of this writing Kennard is hitting threes at a… Let me skim through my notes here…. Carry the seventeen… A 7.7% rate. *checks notes*

Huh? That doesn’t sound like ‘Nardo.’ It sounds more like ‘Diet, Caffeine-Free, Zero-Sugar Nardo’—aka Jake LaRavia—instead. And I doubt any of us want that. If you do, stay far away from me.

Will the Starters Keep Hooping?

In a perfect world, we will see Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart build off their seasons so far. Ideally, they learn—adapt and grow—from these early-season losses. That’s in a perfect world. If it was a perfect, perfect world? We’d see us two better.

On top of those three, if Ziaire Williams and Xavier Tillman both are able to continue their level of play? And I’m counting X’s goose egg in the Jazz blowout as an outlier. If they stick to the tune of a double double each? Laugh at that if you want, but with Z’s latest rebounding surge, it’s not too wild of a thought. If it happens? Like I said, perfect perfect. 

This sequence from Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane>>> pic.twitter.com/ZsfmmXOkMc

— Bryson (@BrysonWright3) October 31, 2023

To say I’ve been impressed with the starters on the season does not do them justice. Especially considering every word I can think of to describe said season has some form of expletive in front of it. They have risen to the occasion so many times, and at this point, how can you not admire them?  

These five losses aren’t laid at the feet of the Grizzlies starting five like a platter of blame. No, if you feel the need to direct those complaints at anyone send it the bench’s way. Or better yet, maybe the coaching staff should not talk themselves, and us, in circles? You know with how dismal this season has been? But what do I know… I only work here.

D. Rose, Derailed?

Damn. Someone should tell the Grizzlies that if someone comes off the injury report… That doesn’t mean that another player needs to take his place. That doesn’t make any sense at all. 

That’s what Memphis did though, but for reasons that do make sense. I guess. You know, like resting a veteran player with an injury history when you know he’s needed. As opposed to ensuring said player feels every bit of burnout. That does make sense.

It would be quite foolish for Memphis to squander the season they’re getting out of Derrick Rose. Regardless of what you may have heard, I promise… Though D. Rose is not playing at a pre-injury level… He is playing at a level that project career highs in points, boards, and assists when playing less than 20 min. 

Derrick Rose is still a hooper 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XQ0RMMFTai

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 28, 2023

Those numbers are basic projections, yet the narrative that Rose isn’t contributing keeps on. And this isn’t a new narrative that’s arrived after the news of him sitting out either. This has been happening for a few games. I’m sorry, but for a 35-year-old? That we’re thrusting this workload on? 

You’ll have to forgive me. Because his 8.0 PTS, 2.0 REB, 2.8 AST, and 50.0% (!?!) 3PT rate are fine by me. Add on a few more points and that’s borderline perfect. Now, if his absence is due to a more serious injury that will force him to miss even more time? Different story. The kind of story the words “re-evaluated in a week” steer real close to.

Please let Memphis be giving their prodigal son a breather before his role begins in earnest is all I’ll say. Otherwise, the season for D. Rose—and the entire team—will only get worse.

A Big Debut For Bismack Biyombo?

At least tonight the Grizzlies will be bringing in some reinforcements. And Lord knows they are in desperate need of some. They announced two days ago the signing of Bismack Biyombo.

Was he the best available option? Oh yeah. I dare you to scour the available free agent big men and pick one better. I’m telling you: Bis is him.

The @memgrizz today announced the team signed Bismack Biyombo. pic.twitter.com/FoFxZys0hw

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) November 2, 2023

It’s not even the least bit funny how much Memphis needs what Biyombo brings to the table. They’ve only won the battle on the boards once in five games. This team needs his rebounding and it needs it bad. Oddly enough, the game they had more rebounds? Against Jokic. Now, that is the least bit funny, but I digress.

The last thing I want to do is pretend. I don’t want to lie and say that Bis is going to fix the Grizzlies hemorrhaging offense. Because that will not happen. He may help them get their first win this year, though. And if I’m Memphis? Right now, that’s all I care about.

Photo credit: (Rick Bowmer/AP)