Final
Grizzlies return home, play host to Blazers
Mar 6, 2013 - 3:47 PMVideo
The Grizzlies had an eight-game winning streak snapped on Friday when they fell to the Miami Heat in South Beach, 98-91. All-Star forward Zach Randolph sprained his ankle in the loss, but played through the pain to complete the game.
He didn't give it a go the next night in Orlando, but Memphis didn't need him. Six Grizzlies scored in double figures, led by 14 from Tayshaun Prince, to drub the Magic, 108-82.
Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Marc Gasol, Quincy Pondexter and Ed Davis also reached double-digits. Gasol added 11 assists and Davis pulled down 10 rebounds.
The Grizzlies, who are 23-8 at home and 20-13 against the Western Conference, jumped out to a 25-point lead at the half and cruised over the last two frames.
"We're not the dark horse any more. We're one of those teams that's up there so they're going to give us their best effort," said Pondexter. "We've just got to come out like tonight and take care of business, be professional and get the win."
The Blazers went 3-1 over a recent homestand and won the last two of the residency. They beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-94 on Saturday, then bested the Charlotte Bobcats 122-105 on Monday.
The 122 points against Charlotte was the second-highest total of the season for Portland. The Blazers put up 125 in an overtime victory over the Magic on Jan. 7.
On Monday, seven Blazers scored in double figures, led by 23 from LaMarcus Aldridge and 20 apiece from Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard. Eric Maynor and Meyers Leonard scored 10 and 15 points, respectively, off the bench.
Monday's game marked the second straight two Portland bench players scored in double figures. That's huge for a Blazers team that is last in the NBA in bench scoring, and last by quite a sizable number.
"Yeah, I think he's found a rotation that he's liking right now," Aldridge said of head coach Terry Stotts.
The Blazers will play three straight through the south, visiting Memphis, the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets.
The Blazers won this season's only matchup with Memphis, an 86-84 road victory on Jan. 4. Portland has taken six of its last eight against the Grizzlies and is 9-2 in its last 11 in Memphis.
- PORTLAND: 85
MEMPHIS: 91
Final
Mar 6 10:27 PM - PORTLAND: 85
MEMPHIS: 91
End of Regulation
Mar 6 10:25 PM - 173
roots - 160
roots - 130
roots - 95
roots - 108
roots - 70
roots - 80
roots - PORTLAND: 67
MEMPHIS: 65
End of 3rd
Mar 6 9:47 PM - PORTLAND: 52
MEMPHIS: 38
Halftime
Mar 6 9:05 PM - PORTLAND: 26
MEMPHIS: 18
End of 1st
Mar 6 8:35 PM - PORTLAND: 0
MEMPHIS: 0
1st Quarter - 11:36
Mar 6 8:11 PM
Related News
- Sharpe, Ayton Questionable Against Kings Dec 25
- How Long Will It Take the Trail Blazers to Be Good Again? Dec 25
- What Was Your Biggest Trail Blazers Disappointment of 2023? Dec 25
- What’s Your Biggest Trail Blazers Joy This Year? Dec 25
- How Is the Moda Center Experience This Season? Dec 25
- A Christmas Gift for the Portland Trail Blazers Dec 25
- NBA Christmas Day Schedule Open Thread Dec 25
- The 12 Highlights of Trail Blazers Christmas Dec 24
- Favale: Trail Blazers Need to Clear Runway More for Youth Dec 24
- Send Your Questions for Tuesday’s Blazers vs. Kings Game! Dec 24
- Tyler Herro is NOT the Coal in Joe Cronin’s Stocking this Christmas Dec 24
- Billups: Warriors ‘Kicked our Butts’ on Rebounds Dec 24