The seventh attempt was therefore successful! After six consecutive defeats to start the season (without Ja Morant suspended, nor Steven Adams out for the season), the Grizzlies finally put a small bar in the victory column of their record, by winning in Portland for their second game of following the Moda Center (112-100).
With three consecutive successes, the last of which against the Grizzlies, the Blazers started off with their feet, quickly leading the score (17-9) behind Malcolm Brogdon (10 points in the first quarter) and Jerami Grant. But, without Scoot Henderson (ankle) for the second game in a row, Portland will gradually see its lead melt away.
The Grizzlies effectively placed their effort in the second quarter (won 33-23) thanks to 11 points from Jaren Jackson Jr in particular, who found color in attack. At the same time, the Blazers lack variety in their game, clumsy as possible behind the arc (1/9 over the period). They trailed by 8 lengths at the break (63-55).
Robert Williams gets injured again…
But, remobilized at halftime, the Blazers came back strong in the third quarter, including an 11-4 propelled by Jerami Grant who set the sights from afar for 10 points in the period including 3/5 from afar. The veteran winger is well helped by the incessant activity of Toumani Camara who fights like hell under the boards… and it smiles on him on shots, with a ball that goes in after several bounces on the 3-point circle.
Unfortunately, the great momentum of the locals, who then led by +4 at the start of the 4th quarter, was shattered when Robert Williams III found himself on the ground and limped directly towards the locker room, non-stop on the sidelines!
It was then that the Grizzlies regained control of the match with a 9-0, with Desmond Bane, author of 13 of his 30 points in the last quarter. More mentally solid and very skillful at the end of the match (13/17 on shots in the last quarter), Memphis pulled away to get a first deserved success (112-100).
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Robert Williams’ injury. It was 10 minutes from the end of the match, on a defensive action against Jackson Jr. that Williams collapsed under his basket. He quickly grabbed his right knee and signaled to his bench that he should come out. Often injured throughout his career in Boston, “Time Lord” unfortunately joins Henderson, Simons and Wainwright in the Blazers infirmary.
– The Grizzlies’ first victory. Taylor Jenkins was looking forward to it. After six failures to start the season, Memphis absolutely needed to return to victory on this short three-game road trip. After two losses in Utah and Portland, it’s finally done for the second meeting in a row against the Blazers. The first appearances of Bismack Biyombo and Santi Aldama are probably not for nothing…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Desmond Bane. He is the offensive leader of the Grizzlies at the start of the season and he proved it again last night with a second consecutive outing with 30 points (or more). Above all, Bane was “clutch” with 13 of his 30 points scored in the last quarter. Better, he scored 21 of his 30 points in the second half. He currently has 26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, All-Star stats, which justify his huge contract won this summer.
⛔️ Malcolm Brogdon. Although in a double-double for the second time in a row, Brogdon (18 points, 11 assists) was missing in the last quarter. With two points collected from throws but 0/5 from shots including 0/2 from distance, the veteran leader missed a great opportunity to make an impression in the absence of Scoot Henderson.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
