Game Thread Game #59 - BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - FEBRUARY 16, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

Chris Craig · Feb 14, 2022

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STARTERS

Anfernee Simons Josh Hart

CJ Elleby Justice Winslow

Jusuf Nurkic

Ja Morant Desmond Bane

Jaren Jackson Jr Ziaire Williamson

Steven Adams

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WHEN: FEBRUARY 16, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT)

WHERE: FEDEX FORUM, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

TV BROADCAST

RADIO BROADCAST

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BENCH

BLAZERS

Ben McLemore Dennis Smith Jr

Trendon Watford Greg Brown III

Keljin Blevins Elijah Hughes

Keon Johnson Eric Bledsoe

Didi Louzada Joe Ingles

Damian Lillard Nassir Little

GRIZZLIES

Brandon Clarke Dillon Brooks

Kyle Anderson Tyus Jones

Jarrett Culver De'Anthony Melton

Santi Aldama John Konchar

Yves Pons Killian Tillie

Xavier Tillman Tyrell Terry

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INJURIES

BLAZERS

Damian Lillard (Abs) OUT
Keon Johnson (Ankle) QUEST
Eric Bledsoe ("Achilles") OUT
Dennis Smith Jr (Elbow) QUEST.
Nassir Little (Shoulder) OUT
Joe Ingles (ACL) OUT
Didi Louzada (Knee) OUT

GRIZZLIES

Ja Morant (Ankle) QUEST.
Dillon Brooks (Ankle) OUT
Killian Tillie OUT
Xavier Tillman OUT
Yves Pons OUT

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COACHES

Chauncey Billups

Taylor Jenkins

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NOTES

This is the fourth of four meetings between the Blazers and Grizzlies this season
The Blazers lead the 2021 - 22 season series 2-1
Memphis won the 2020 - 21 series 2-1
Ben McLemore played for the Grizzlies during the 2017-18 season
Justice Winslow played for the Grizzlies during the 2020 -21 season

_________________________________________

TRIVIA

The Blazers last played the Grizzlies back on 12/19, winning 105 - 100. He led the Blazers in bench scoring with 13 points.

______________________________________

blazerkor · Feb 14, 2022

My answer to the poll question is yes I'm surprised they're winning but we beat a Lakers team in crisis because they don't fit together, a Knicks team that is no better than us and the defending champs without the guy who is arguably the best player in the game. So, yeah I thought we would have lost those games but I'm still in wait and see mode.

I don't think this team is a contender by any means even if Dame comes back but I definitely wouldn't mind going into the draft after doing our best in the playoffs with the Pelicans pick and all of our future picks available to trade in order to try and make this team better now.

Fairly-Hard · Feb 15, 2022

I wonder if this streak continues? Yes they have a win streak going.

PtldPlatypus · Feb 15, 2022

blazerkor said:
My answer to the poll question is yes I'm surprised they're winning but we beat a Lakers team in crisis because they don't fit together, a Knicks team that is no better than us and the defending champs without the guy who is arguably the best player in the game. So, yeah I thought we would have lost those games but I'm still in wait and see mode.

I don't think this team is a contender by any means even if Dame comes back but I definitely wouldn't mind going into the draft after doing our best in the playoffs with the Pelicans pick and all of our future picks available to trade in order to try and make this team better now.

If they win this game, I'm most definitely starting an "is this sustainable?" thread. Beating flailing and incomplete teams is one thing, but a win over a fully-functional Grizz squad will definitely raise eyebrows.

Freshtown · Feb 15, 2022

Time to get some losses.

SharpesTriumph · Feb 15, 2022

Grizzlies are playing tonight so will be the second of a back to back for them, and Ja Morant is listed as questionable.

tlongII · Feb 15, 2022

There is no way we win this one is there?

Hoopguru · Feb 15, 2022

tlongII said:
There is no way we win this one is there?

Odds are against us, but thats the fuel propelling these guys.

Scalma · Feb 15, 2022

Where’s the no option

PtldPlatypus · Feb 15, 2022

Scalma said:
Where’s the no option

I got you.

illmatic99 · Feb 15, 2022

I'm excited for Ant v Ja.

James lamphear · Feb 15, 2022

Our guys going out there really nothing to loose but go out and have fun. When you have the confidence and believe you always have a chance in any game.

KSF-ERIC · Feb 15, 2022

blazerkor said:
My answer to the poll question is yes I'm surprised they're winning but we beat a Lakers team in crisis because they don't fit together, a Knicks team that is no better than us and the defending champs without the guy who is arguably the best player in the game. So, yeah I thought we would have lost those games but I'm still in wait and see mode.

I don't think this team is a contender by any means even if Dame comes back but I definitely wouldn't mind going into the draft after doing our best in the playoffs with the Pelicans pick and all of our future picks available to trade in order to try and make this team better now.

I hate it when people shortchange wins because of the opponent. It’s like wins only matter if we beat the Suns who, by the way, we beat by 29 though we were a different team then.

KSF-ERIC · Feb 15, 2022

tlongII said:
There is no way we win this one is there?

We’ve beaten the Grizz twice already and we’re playing better now.

THE HCP · Feb 15, 2022

^SIGH

blazerkor · Feb 15, 2022

KSF-ERIC said:
I hate it when people shortchange wins because of the opponent. It’s like wins only matter if we beat the Suns who, by the way, we beat by 29 though we were a different team then.

One win is just as good as the next it doesn't matter where you get them but some wins are more indicative of what a team is capable of than others. These last three wins don't tell us much more than this team's ability to beat middling teams. It's good to know because following the trade I kind of thought we'd struggle against middling teams and only beat the worst teams. It does not tell us if we can beat even second or third tier teams let alone the upper echelon. That's not short changing a win, that's just the way I see it. If we beat the Grizz tonight and they have all of their rotation players available it's no more valuable of a win than the one against the Bucks without Giannis but it is more indicative of what this team can do in the future but it will still just be one game and a four game win streak so I still won't be ready to say that we're now a contender.

SharpesTriumph · Feb 15, 2022

blazerkor said:
One win is just as good as the next it doesn't matter where you get them but some wins are more indicative of what a team is capable of than others. These last three wins don't tell us much more than this team's ability to beat middling teams. It's good to know because following the trade I kind of thought we'd struggle against middling teams and only beat the worst teams. It does not tell us if we can beat even second or third tier teams let alone the upper echelon. That's not short changing a win, that's just the way I see it. If we beat the Grizz tonight and they have all of their rotation players available it's no more valuable of a win than the one against the Bucks without Giannis but it is more indicative of what this team can do in the future but it will still just be one game and a four game win streak so I still won't be ready to say that we're now a contender.

First of all, its impossible for us to beat the Grizzlies tonight because we play them tomorrow. They play tonight and then they play us tomorrow.

But I sort of agree with Eric on his point though. The Blazers have 3 quality wins in a row and those teams were trying to win. LeBron and Davis wanted to win and the two of them alone should trump whatever else is on these rosters. Middleton was trying to carry the load offensively, he won a title with Jrue but we shut him down.

I don't see you posting a bunch of reasons about why our prior losses had factors assisting the opponent, in that case the Blazers just suck. So why do the wins need to discount our opponent?

KSF-ERIC · Feb 15, 2022

blazerkor said:
One win is just as good as the next it doesn't matter where you get them but some wins are more indicative of what a team is capable of than others. These last three wins don't tell us much more than this team's ability to beat middling teams. It's good to know because following the trade I kind of thought we'd struggle against middling teams and only beat the worst teams. It does not tell us if we can beat even second or third tier teams let alone the upper echelon. That's not short changing a win, that's just the way I see it. If we beat the Grizz tonight and they have all of their rotation players available it's no more valuable of a win than the one against the Bucks without Giannis but it is more indicative of what this team can do in the future but it will still just be one game and a four game win streak so I still won't be ready to say that we're now a contender.

We’ve already beat the Grizzlies twice and we’re a much better team now than we were then. But the bigger point is HOW we’ve played these last three games. That’s what is “indicative” of how good we are. I mean, we blew out the 73-9 Warriors back in 2016. Did that mean we were contenders?

blazerfan11 · Feb 15, 2022

KSF-ERIC said:
We’ve already beat the Grizzlies twice and we’re a much better team now than we were then. But the bigger point is HOW we’ve played these last three games. That’s what is “indicative” of how good we are. I mean, we blew out the 73-9 Warriors back in 2016. Did that mean we were contenders?

That's the main point. What matters in the big picture is only one thing - the playoffs. The Blazers could sweep the Lakers in years past then get swept in the playoffs.
We could beat the Grizzlies by 20 points then get swept in the playoffs, and vice versa. That's why it would be nice to make the real playoffs this season, to play in a 7 game series. Maybe this team is better than we think, or maybe it'll be swept (or a gentleman's sweep) like seasons past (and everyone can complain we lost our lottery pick). I'm not listening to anyone who says there's no chance to at least compete in the first round. The same ones who would have said we have a 0 percent chance of beating the Lakers, Knicks and Bucks. Those people have completely lost their prediction cred.

Wade Garrett · Feb 15, 2022

PtldPlatypus said:
If they win this game, I'm most definitely starting an "is this sustainable?" thread. Beating flailing and incomplete teams is one thing, but a win over a fully-functional Grizz squad will definitely raise eyebrows.

Chauncey was asked in the post game presser that very question, "Is this sustainable?"
His answer: "I don't know.."
Neither do I, but it is the most fun I've had because of the Blazers since Dame ruined OKC.
I would like a great draft pick, or two, but I no longer want this team to "tank" for it.
You don't fuck around with the Basketball Gods, so I say just keep ballin' guys and lets see what will happen.
Memphis is still my pick to win the west, and lose to Milwaukee in the Finals, so to beat those two on this trip, regardless of who plays, is
nothing shy of spectacular, and worth a pause to re-evaluate.

Pinwheel1 · Feb 15, 2022

^ I think the defense and rebounding are sustainable. The excellent 3 pt shooting...not so much

SharpesTriumph · Feb 15, 2022

blazerfan11 said:
That's the main point. What matters in the big picture is only one thing - the playoffs. The Blazers could sweep the Lakers in years past then get swept in the playoffs.
We could beat the Grizzlies by 20 points then get swept in the playoffs, and vice versa. That's why it would be nice to make the real playoffs this season, to play in a 7 game series. Maybe this team is better than we think, or maybe it'll be swept (or a gentleman's sweep) like seasons past (and everyone can complain we lost our lottery pick). I'm not listening to anyone who says there's no chance to at least compete in the first round. The same ones who would have said we have a 0 percent chance of beating the Lakers, Knicks and Bucks. Those people have completely lost their prediction cred.

Even if the Blazers lose in the playoffs it would be great experience for Simons, Hart, Nurk, and Winslow. The playin race and games would be great additional experience too. It often takes these young guys a couple times in the playoffs to be ready to make a deep run. Nurk's only playoff wins were the 1 games in the bubble and two last year, so he could use some moments in those pressure games as well.

SharpesTriumph · Feb 15, 2022

Nurk in the playoffs
3 wins
13 losses
19 games missed injuries

Simons
2019 12 minutes
2020 82 minutes
2021 107 minutes

Winslow
2016 329 minutes
2018 125 minutes

Hart never been to the playoffs

KSF-ERIC · Feb 15, 2022

Pinwheel1 said:
^ I think the defense and rebounding are sustainable. The excellent 3 pt shooting...not so much

We only shot 31% from 3 in win over Lakers.

BlazerBeav · Feb 15, 2022

So this likely means a win for New Orleans - BAD FOR US. If he's out tomorrow too, WORSE FOR US.

DDolla · Feb 15, 2022

Chauncey’s Field Trip

TBpup · Feb 15, 2022

"With great perspective, comes clearer realization."

OneSport3 · Feb 15, 2022

Justise Winslow revenge game

blazerfan11 · Feb 15, 2022

BlazerBeav said:
So this likely means a win for New Orleans - BAD FOR US. If he's out tomorrow too, WORSE FOR US.

Doesn't look like a likely win for New Orleans so far. Memphis's defense is making it tough for the Pels.

edit: Memphis has been ahead by as much as 20 points in the first half.

Wade Garrett · Feb 15, 2022

BlazerBeav said:
So this likely means a win for New Orleans - BAD FOR US. If he's out tomorrow too, WORSE FOR US.

You cannot be serious...
A Memphis loss 'cos Ja is out??
Have you SEEEEEN this Memphis team?
Didn't they win 11 out of 13 w/o Ja, and some moronic Memphis fans were talking trading him?
When they get DBrooks back, fughettaboutit...

Game Thread Game #59 - BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - FEBRUARY 16, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

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