The Blazers, who remain on a home victory against the Hawks, were keen to continue to get closer to the qualifying places in the postseason. The Oregon franchise traveled last night to the FedEx Forum in Memphis to face the Ja Morant Grizzlies. Damian Lillard took care of everything and offered a nice success to his troop.
Yes, things are going a little better for Portland. The Blazers, who remain on a home victory against the Hawks two days ago, had to follow up with a big piece of the Western Conference, the Memphis Grizzlies. Damian Lillard, freshly elected player of the week, is evolving at an incredible level (42 points in the last game, and even a peak of 60 ten days ago), and is carrying all of Oregon on his back. If Dame won her duel against Trae Young, the story seemed badly embarked against Ja Morant, as the Blazers ran after the score.
Indeed, Portland never thought it could win. With great intensity from the in-between, it is the Grizzlies who have control over the meeting. Ja Morant delights with his playmaking, Jaren Jackson Jr. does his job, Danny Green has even found the floors, despite two airballs (we’re not going to hide it, we saw you Danny). Opposite, Lady puts in and allows her family to stay in contact and not completely sink.
But it was complicated for the Blazers who had to fight without being able to fully rely on Jusuf Nurkic, Jerami Grant and Josh Hart, injured during the match. If the last two finally returned to the field, the Bosnian pivot has definitely left the game. At halftime, a small miracle: the Blazers are only led by 5 points, Dame is “already” at 16 points and 4 assists. Still the basics of a very big evening.
In the second period, Anfernee Simons (26 points) comes out of his box and takes the reins of the attack of the Blazers, Drew Eubanks takes advantage of his playing time and provides inside… now the Blazers are picking up. In the final quarter, it was the start of a long mano a mano. After Ja Morant planted a few important shots, the Grizzlies lead by 5 points with 4 minutes remaining. We begin to think that the case is folded as the dynamic is in favor of the Bears.
But all that was without counting on Damian Lillard, the king of money-time. Mr. Clutch himself refuses to lose: two big shots at 3pts to pass. Ja Morant, suddenly in difficulty, can’t get the machine going again. The match turned, Lady finished as it started. 42 points at 11/22 shooting (5/13 from the parking lot), 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. +10 for the Blazers (122-112), who come to seek a big victory in a contender in the west. Portland is 11th, at the gates of the Play-in.
feeling: 🔥🐐😌 pic.twitter.com/4UsWFS7Prp
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 2, 2023
Grizzlies side, Ja Morant comes close to the triple-double and finishes with 32 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds, well helped by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 18 points and 7 rebounds. The Cubs remain runners-up to the Nuggets and will travel to Cleveland on Friday.
Source : ESPN
