After having a couple of nights off, the Grizzlies take the floor Wednesday night against the Portland Trailblazers. Portland is just a bit out of range in the Western Conference playoff picture, so they would love to a) gain a win to get a little bit closer, and b) cause problems for a team ahead of them. Portland is 3.5 games out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the West.
Randolph no doubt used the off-days for treatment for that sprained left ankle. While that Sunday night win in Orlando was an opportunity for other guys to get their games going (Ed Davis and Darrell Arthur for two examples), tonight will present a different kind of challenge. The Trailblazers have the kind of experience and talent that can cause Memphis problems.
LaMarcus Aldridge is the type of active post player that can keep Gasol and a healthy Randolph scrambling to keep up. Aldridge is a competent offensive player down low, and loves that mid-range jumper that few can stop. Rookie Damian Lillard is still the front-runner for Rookie of the Year, notwithstanding some recent struggles. More of "scorer first/distributor second" point guard, he is quick enough to match Conley step for step. SG Nicolas Batum is a long-armed, deceptively quick player. He can get to the rim, and has legit 3PT range (37% for the year). Also, Wesley Matthews is a two-way contributor on the wing. This team matches up well with Memphis, and won't be intimidated on the road. This team likes to run - averaging 113 PPG the last three games.
The Grizzlies need to make this game like the one at Miami last Friday. Slow the pace for the most part, with occasional sprints when they have the obvious numerical advantage. If Randolph isn't 100%, look for more Arthur and Davis taking turns covering Aldridge, while also trying to wear down Aldridge by making him play defense against the rotating cast of fresh PFs.
My guess: Memphis 95, Portland 90. Arthur and Davis will be key for the home team. If they don't play well in relief of Randolph, the team will lose. As usual, these guesses aren't for gaming purposes. They are more for bragging rights and entertaining myself.
After the Game: Memphis 91, Portland 85. Randolph didn't play - Davis started in his place (3 pts, 6 rebs in 25 minutes). Gasol played well (23 pts, 12 rebs, 3 assists). Conley added 20 points and 6 assists. Prince and Allen combined for 7/25 FG/A, though. Bayless scored 12 off the bench. The team had 38 FGs, and 20 assists to 9 turnovers.
For Portland, Aldridge went 2/13 from the field, but added 10 rebs and 8 assists. Slowing him down made a difference. Matthews (4/11 FG/A) and Batum (4/10) struggled from the field as well. Lillard scored 20 and had 4 assists. Former University of Memphis player Will Barton got 5 minutes of time, scoring one point.
Neither team shot great (Memphis 43.7% from the field, Portland 40.8%), which is the usual Memphis M.O.
Portland led 50-38 at the half, but the Grizz fought their way back. I DVR'd this, and may watch it if/when insomnia sets in.
Next for Memphis is back to back, at Cleveland (8 March) and home against New Orleans (9 March). The Grizzlies need to win both.
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