Game Thread GAME# 62: BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - APRIL 28, 2021 - WEDNESDAY, 6:00, NBCSNW

And the win doesn't even matter.

Until there's changes, nothing changes.

 

In settings I changed things so I see 50 posts per page instead of the default 20. So I always see fewer pages then the rest of you.



So even if we made him the official page counter the pages you see would be different.

 

Pour your misery down on me...

 

GRIZZLIES HEAD COACH TAYLOR JENKINS

On the Grizzlies’ defensive performance:
“They were really aggressive one-on-ones and pick-and-rolls. We just didn’t have an answer for them tonight. They broke through. We weren’t able to keep them at bay as much as we wanted to tonight. They played extremely well.”

On lineup changes:
“I don’t know the exact timeline, but we’re going to do whatever is best for our team every single day, keep studying and testing the best combinations. We’re going to have to adjust the lineups at times as we bring certain guys back.”

On the bench’s chemistry:
“These are decisions that we’re faced with. I think we’ve had some positive strides in the past few games. I have confidence in our guys that we’ll be able to figure it out.”

On what the Grizzlies are doing well:
“I think outside the last few games, we’ve played some really high-level basketball and some competitive basketball against some really good ball clubs. Hopefully, we’re just embracing these opportunities. It’s a great challenge the last 11 games that we have here. We have a tough schedule, but we just have to keep finding ways to raise our level and freshen up – mentally fresh, physically fresh. Our guys are ready for the challenge.”

On if there are any concerns about tonight’s loss:
“No, if you look at the two games before these last two, we played extremely well. Outside of the Denver game and coming off a tough road trip and trying to re-acclimate back here, we just have to freshen up. These aren’t reflective of what we’ve been able to accomplish this season. We’re in a great sport, 31-30. If anyone is raising alarms or concerns, I don’t know what y’all are watching.”

On Justise Winslow:
“I’ve been impressed. I love how he’s gotten downhill. He’s attacked in transition. Naturally, it’s going to take a little time to get chemistry, but I think there have been positive strides for sure. We just have to keep building on it. The more reps he gets and as JJ [Jaren Jackson Jr.] comes back, we’re pressing different lineups out there, which I think is something we need to be able to do. Hopefully just keep working and find a positive stride moving forward.”



GRIZZLIES FORWARD/CENTER JAREN JACKSON JR. (13 POINTS, 5 REBOUNDS, 2 BLOCKS)

On his first home game this season and playing in front of a home crowd:
“I miss the fans. I miss (FedExForum) being loud and everybody being in there and we’re trying to get to full capacity if (meeting safety protocols). I miss them and it was great to finally be back, my first game in there, so a lot of joy for that. I definitely wish the result was different, definitely wish I played better, definitely wish we could have done more. For what it is, I miss the fans. We were on the road for a while, so coming back and seeing them was cool.”

On protecting home court in the last seven home games:
“We just got to make sure we punch back when we get punched but we need to throw that first punch for sure. Just taking care of the little details. Taking care of the ball. Hitting more shots. All around we have to do more, especially at home. We know what to do on the road. We just got to take that same intensity and bring it home.”

On any concerns:
“We've had great games on the road. We’ve had great games in our last 10 or 11 games. We’ve had some games that weren't as great. We’re taking bits from each and just trying to come up with a nice formula we can take forward. We just have to make sure we start the end games the best we can. Those are two of the most crucial points of the game. Definitely finishing a game and starting a game.”

On how he will return to the starting lineup and judge is first four games:
“I know getting back into a rhythm is going to take a little bit of time. I've been alright. I think there's things I really got to cleanup like my defense, my shooting, just being in rhythm in the game, being more aware of things. That'll come. My teammates have been doing a good job of helping me. The plan was always for me to just get the rhythm with the guys that are out there. Doesn't really matter what rotation it is because we have some many guys playing. Just whoever is out there is just going to go out there in attack mode. It really doesn't matter who or when, at any point we have so many different guys that can go out there and make a difference. It really doesn't matter.”


GRIZZLIES FORWARD BRANDON CLARKE (8 POINTS, 10 REBOUNDS)

On the game:
“I think (the Trail Blazers) just came out with an edge tonight because we beat them pretty bad in the first two games. I think they just came out with that edge and they knew what to do. We had a harder time getting into the paint and finishing. We had a harder time getting out with their pace and that’s what beat them in the first two games. I just think that they had a good plan. I don’t want to say this, but we just had a pretty tough stretch of games and we had a long road trip. I think we still feel that, so we’re going to have to take the day off tomorrow to get our bodies back and just get ready for this final stretch.”

On positive strides on the bench:
“I would say our energy and getting back to playing what we are used to. It has changed so much with injuries and guys coming in and out. I know it’s been tough for me being out and having some nagging injuries. I just think we have to get our flow and energy back, and we’ll be fine in the final push of games.”

On the loss:
“It’s something that we faced in the last couple of years. We’ve had these tougher losses, and we always bounce back from them. Obviously, you don’t want to get beat the way that we did tonight, but we’re not in panic mode because we been there before. We’re a team that bounces back well. I think that we’re going to be fine.”

On Jaren Jackson Jr.’s recent return:
“That’s something that we’re really looking forward to, especially having Jaren back. He’s been out for like a year, so it’s going to take some time getting back. We are all looking forward to the future and being able to play all of the lineups we have.”

On protecting home court:
“We just have to come out with that edge. On the road, we came out with the edge, but for some reason being at home, it’s something that we struggle with. Obviously, not having fans makes a difference because you can't tell if it’s a home game or not. As the fans make their way back more that we’ll bring that edge more back at home and start racking up these home wins for the last part of the season.”

On his health:
“I feel like it. I have a little nagging pain in my glute and hammy. It’s something that I’m able to play through. I feel fine on the court, so that's the biggest thing. That’s no reason for me to miss any shots or anything. When I’m on the court, I feel fine.”

 

Key Stat of the Night
⦁ Portland outscored the Grizzlies 74-46 in the first half while out-shooting the Grizzlies 55.3 percent to 35.7 percent from the floor and limiting the Grizzlies to (3-of-15) from 3-point range.
⦁ Portland’s 74 points in the first half is tied for the most the Grizzlies have given up in a first half this season (April 11 at IND).

Key Run of the Night
⦁ Desmond Bane connected on a finger roll with 1:57 to play in the first quarter to cut the Trail Blazers lead to seven points at 30-23… Following Bane’s basket, Portland ripped off a 23-9 run over the next 6:05 to play to extend their lead to 21 points following a mid-range jumper from Carmelo Anthony with 7:17 to play before half… The Grizzlies would never get closer than 17 points for the remainder of the game.

Team Notables
⦁ The Grizzlies returned to FedExForum for the first time since April 14 to take on the Portland Trail Blazers for the third time in six days… Memphis sat at 1.5 games behind Portland for the seventh seed in the Western Conference before tonight’s loss.
⦁ Memphis defeated Portland twice at the Moda Center, 130-128 on April 23 and 120-113 on April 25… Ja Morant averaged 30.5 points (19-32 FG, 4-7 3P, 19-24 FT), 6.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists in those two games. Morant was held to 10 points tonight.
⦁ Memphis won the last four matchups with Portland at FedExForum before tonight’s loss and had not lost to the Trail Blazers at home since Nov. 20, 2017.
⦁ Despite the loss, Memphis finished with 109 points on 42 percent shooting… The Grizzlies are on pace to score at least 120 points per game in a calendar month for the first time in franchise history (120.1 points in April)… The only other time the team has scored even 115 points per game over the course of the month was January 2020 (119.0)… Including April 2021, the Top 5 highest-scoring months in franchise history have come under Taylor Jenkins.
⦁ Portland had three different players score over 20 points in the win (CJ McCollum, 26; Norman Powell, 24; Damian Lillard, 23).

Player Notables
⦁ Jaren Jackson Jr. made his first appearance of the 2020-21 season inside FedExForum... Jackson Jr. tallied 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes… His last time in the lineup at home was February 20, 2020 against the Portland Trail Blazers, when he scored eight points and five rebounds in a 111-104 Grizzlies win.
⦁ Jonas Valančiūnas led the Grizzlies with 19 points and six rebounds on 8-for-13 shooting.
⦁ Dillon Brooks totaled 18 points (6-10 FG) with two rebounds and a steal in 22 minutes.
⦁ Ja Morant added 10 points, eight assists and three rebounds.
⦁ Brandon Clarke grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points in 16 minutes.
⦁ CJ McCollum totaled a game-high 26 points (10-15 FG, 4-6 3P), six assists and four rebounds.
⦁ Damian Lillard notched 23 points (9-9 FT), five assists and three rebounds in 31 minutes.
⦁ Norman Powell added 24 points, five rebounds and four assists.

 

Hear, hear! Just like she, Portland fans want the D!

 

Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies - Box Score - April 28, 2021 - ESPN<<<<<