Four games in five days.
You say you wanna play pro basketball? You wanna play in the NBA? You wanna get paid, walk around like a big shot? Can you handle this part of the life?
Over the years, I've heard detractors say "they're only on the court a couple of hours. I could do that." The game itself is difficult. Travel on top of that makes things harder, even if you are in top condition.
The Grizzlies' Twitter feed noted that Randolph practiced at full speed on Monday. Arthur didn't practice, and is presumably still day-to-day.
Tuesday night, the team is at Portland. The Trailblazers finished a three-game road trip with a Sunday 2-point loss at New Orleans. All five Trailblazer starters scored in double figures, and each of the five played at least 36 minutes. The team played well, but had some late defensive breakdowns that cost them a victory.
On 6 March, Memphis put the defensive clamps on Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and came away with a 91-85 victory. The two teams have split two games this year, but the two games have both been in Memphis. The two teams match up in Portland again in early April.
The Trailblazers are 20-10 at home this season. The Grizzlies are 17-11 on the road. Portland is three games behind Utah for eighth place in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Grizzlies are one game in front of Denver for fourth place in the West. Both teams need this game desperately.
Portland averages 98 PPG, while giving up an average of 99.8. Memphis averages 94 a game, while giving up 89. To win this game, Memphis needs to take some "grit and grind" with them. Keep the game in the high 80s, make it ugly and impatient. They have to do this against a Portland team that scored 136 at San Antonio on 8 March.
Tonight, I guess Portland prevails at home. My guess is Portland 97, Memphis 92. Aldridge will get his 20+ pts and 9 or so rebounds. Lillard will get his 20, 5 or so assists, and make plays that get the home fans out of their seats. After the projected loss, the Grizzlies will head south to take on the Clippers.
As a man said in a movie once, "the hits just keep on coming".
After the Game: Memphis 102, Portland 97. The Grizzlies made it close at the end (Bayless fouling Mayner as he took a 3-pt attempt?), but Memphis making their free throws late sealed a crucial road victory.
Conley scored 12 of his 14 in the 4th quarter, and set a career high with 15 assists. Gasol led the team with 20, and Randolph got 19 and 10 rebs. Memphis had 39 baskets, 31 assists and only 11 turnovers. Memphis shot 51% from the floor.
Portland was led by Lillard's 30 pts and 7 assists. Aldridge added 28 pts, 10 rebs and 4 blocks. Portland had 32 baskets, 17 assists and 16 turnovers. Portland's bench was outscored 28-19. Their lack of bench production put a burden on the starters, especially defensively.
After three quarters of defensive struggle, the teams combined for 73 points in the 4th. Coach Hollins can't be happy about the Grizzlies giving up 39 in a quarter.
I was wrong about this result, and I'm happy I was wrong. The team needed this win, and now they head south to "see the circus". The Clippers are the best high-wire act in the Association, and Wednesday night the Grizzlies see it up close. Can they stop it?
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