Game Preview: Portland Trailblazers at Memphis Grizzlies (03/01/24)

Who: Portland Trailblazers (15-32, 14th in the West) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (20-39, 13th in the West)

When: Friday, March 1st, 7:00 P.M. CST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

How To Watch: Bally Sports Southeast

Injury Report: 

Memphis: GG Jackson (Questionable, Quad), Luke Kennard (Doubtful, Illness), John Konchar (Doubtful, Thumb), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Out, Quad),  Desmond Bane (Out, Ankle), Ja Morant (Out, Shoulder), Brandon Clarke (Out, Achilles), Scotty Pippen Jr. (Out, Lumbar disc bulge), Derrick Rose (Out, Back), Marcus Smart (Out, Finger)

Portland: Moses Brown (Questionable, Wrist), Deandre Ayton (Doubtful, Hand), Scoot Henderson (Out, Adductor), Malcolm Brogdon (Out, Elbow), Shaedon Sharpe (Out, Abdomen), Robert Williams III (Out, Knee)

Run Through Vince

The Grizzlies only won two games in February but it is a new month starting with back-to-back home games against the Portland Trailblazers who are nearly as undermanned as Memphis. The Grizz will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. tonight who put up 33 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. With GG Jackson questionable, Memphis will be lucky to get to 90 points. That leaves one man.

Vince Williams Jr. has quickly become one of my favorite Grizzlies this season. He embodies everything Memphis basketball is and is the perfect complementary piece to add to a healthy Memphis core. Williams will be the number-one option against the Blazers tonight, presenting him an opportunity to shine even brighter.

After 16 straight games scoring in double-figures, Williams has cooled as of late scoring nine, six and 11 in his last three. His shooting wavers from night to night but Williams is consistently crashing the boards and serving up assists. He has had nine straight games with 5+ assists and is evolving as a playmaker. As Williams spends more time with the ball in his hands, he is getting a feel for his teammates as well as improving in reading his opponents.

Wednesday, Williams took 15 shots, the second most of his career. I expect that number to be even higher tonight because it has to be if Memphis has any intention of winning this game. 

Team Defense

On the defensive end, Williams will likely be tasked with guarding dynamic scorer Anfernee Simons. If Williams is busy orchestrating the offense, he may wear down keeping up with the speedy guard, so other Grizzlies will need to step up. If GG misses the game, then Memphis will be down another wing, leaving Ziaire Williams and Jordan Goodwin to protect the perimeter. 

With JJJ out, the paint will be vulnerable and it will be up to Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia and Lamar Stevens to minimize inside scoring. Yikes. 

Memphis does not have the defensive personnel to stop Portland but if the Grizz play team basketball, hustling and fighting for loose balls, they could make enough plays to limit the Blazers.

This will be an ugly game with very little scoring but if the Grizzlies allow Simons to get hot, Portland could run away with it. 

Prediction: Portland 101, Memphis 90