Post by DiamondThief on Nov 28, 2014 11:19:59 GMT -8
Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers
What: The Grizzlies make their first appearance of the season in the Rose City to take on the Blazers.
When: Friday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m.
Grizzlies Media: TV - SportSouth; Radio - WMFS AM
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW; Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Note: The teams played just three games last season with the Grizzlies winning the series, 2-1.
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The Grizzlies (13-2, 5-2 on the road) are coming off a 99-93 road win over the Lakers on Nov. 26. They are lead by center Marc Gasol, power forward Zach Randolph and point guard Mike Conley. The Grizzlies are averaging 99.9 (14th in the NBA) and giving up 92.4 (third). The Blazers (12-3, 8-1 at home) are coming off a 105-97 road win over the Hornets on Nov. 26. They are led by power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, point guard Damian Lillard and shooting guard Wesley Matthews. The Blazers are averaging 104.4 points (sixth) and giving up 95.4 (sixth).
Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge; Grizzlies' Zach Randolph
Memphis Grizzlies
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 9 Tony Allen
PF - 30 Zach Randolph
C - 33 Marc Gasol
SG - 5 Courtney Lee
PG - 11 Mike Conley
RESERVES
G - 3 Jordan Adams; 12 Nick Calathes; 19 Beno Udrih
F - 15 Vince Carter; 30 Jon Leuer; 8 Quincy Pondexter; 21 Tayshaun Prince; 1 Jarnell Stokes
C - 41 Kosta Koufos
INJURY REPORT
no injuries reported
HEAD COACH
David Joerger
STATISTICAL LEADERS (per game)
Points - Marc Gasol 19.8
Rebounds - Zach Randolph 11.6
Assists - Mike Conley 6.2
Blocks - Marc Gasol 1.6
Steals - Tony Allen 1.8
FG% - Coutrney Lee 52.8
3PT% - Courtney Lee 56.1
FT% - Courtney Lee 89.3
Portland Trail Blazers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURIES
G - 3 CJ McCollum (finger) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS (per game)
Points - LaMarcus Aldridge 21.2
Rebounds - LaMarcus Aldridge 9.1
Assists - Damian Lillard 6.5
Blocks - Robin Lopez 1.7
Steals - Damian Lillard 1.3
FG% - Robin Lopez 56.9
3PT% - Meyers Leonard 57.1
FT% - Damian Lillard 93.7
Angi's Take
This game matches up two of the four best teams in the NBA. The Grizzlies' strong start really should not be that much of a surprise as they have been a threat in the Western Conference for several seasons now. Their core of Gasol, Randolph and Conley is about as good as it gets in the NBA. Gasol is always in the conversation when it comes to the best centers in the league. Randolph will be facing the team which drafted him, then replaced him with Aldridge during the 2006-07 season. Conley just may be the most underrated point guard in the NBA and, if it were not for the logjam of point guards in the Western Conference, probably would have earned his first all-star team bid last season. The Grizzlies' talent does not end there. Allen and Lee are solid starters and adept defenders, while the bench is an accomplished mix of veterans starting with Carter, Prince and Pondexter. Frankly, the Grizzlies are stacked from top to bottom and are healthy, which is why they possesses the top record in the conference. The Blazers are on an NBA-best nine-game winning streak and are returning from a east coast road trip in which they went 3-0. Matthews scored 20 of his game-high 28 points to lead the Blazers over the Hornets on Nov. 26. His consistency has improved over his career and he can go off on any night. Aldridge always seems to get up for games against better opposing big men, such as Randolph. Lopez will have his hands ful with Gasol, but he won't have to go it alone as Kaman and Freeland likely will see some time defending him. Lillard and Conley is an interesting matchup of two of the better point guards in the NBA. Kaman should have an advantage against any opposing big man off the Grizzlies bench. Blake could have a big game. The key for the Blazers could come down to the bench players versus the bench wings for the Grizzlies, as Crabbe, Barton and Wright could see some meaningful minutes. The Blazers lead the NBA in rebounding at 47.9 boards per game. This really is a game of matchups and though I am targeting the battle of the power forwards, any of these battles should be entertaining. The Blazers can win this if they limit turnovers, gain an edge in rebounding and shoot the ball effectively. Matchup to watch: Zach Randolph vs. LaMarcus Aldridge.
Officials
Ed Malloy, Brent Bamaky, Brian Forte
Quotable
Grizzlies guard Mike Conley on the teams strong start: "It says a lot about our focus early on this season. That's all we wanted to do, was to come out focused the first couple months of the season. Set a good standard for ourselves, and now we just have to hold ourselves accountable and try to get better."
Blazers guard Damian Lillard on the Grizzlies: "They're a great team right now. We can't look at it like, we're on our home court so something is going to be handed to us. We've got to come out there and lace 'em up and be ready to go get one."
Featured Tweets
Extra
Even though CJ McCollum is out with injury, a game against the Grizzles always gives us a chance to feature this photo of he and Memphis' Kosta Koufos as teammates during their high school playing days.
Match-Up Meme
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Graphic courtesy of David.
