The Portland Trail Blazers have faced challenges after a promising start to the season. They have struggled due to a lack of available players, yet they remain a competitive force. Remarkably, the Blazers secured a victory against the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, becoming the only team to do so this season. Three of their last four losses came in closely contested games, with an average margin of just 5.6 points.
Upcoming Matchup Overview
The upcoming game marks the first of four encounters between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies this season. Currently, Memphis holds a slight advantage, sitting a half-game above the ninth seed in the standings. Over the past ten games, the Grizzlies have found more success, winning six compared to Portland’s three. Furthermore, Memphis aims to improve their home record to .500.
Quick Defensive Rotations Are Essential
Defensive strategies will be crucial in this matchup. Portland is currently the lowest-ranked team in the league for three-point shooting. Despite struggling, the Blazers can still make significant plays. Deni Avdija, at 6’8″, excels at creating scoring opportunities through dribble penetration and can dominate his defender. He leads the league with a 31.7% drive rate and averages 19.6 drives per game.
- Memphis needs to focus on doubling Avdija effectively.
- Defensive help is vital when facing Portland’s offensive transitions.
- Quick defensive recoveries can limit Portland’s scoring chances.
Limiting Offensive Rebounds
Another critical focus for Memphis will be limiting Portland’s offensive rebounds. The Blazers rank third in the league in offensive rebounding percentage and second-chance points, averaging 17.8 per game. Cedric Coward recently demonstrated his rebounding ability, securing 14 boards in the last game. A collective rebounding effort will be necessary to prevent the Blazers from capitalizing on second chances.
Utilizing Big Men on Offense
Portland’s center Donovan Clingan is currently uncertain for the game due to injury. Regardless of his status, Memphis must aggressively attack the paint. Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. should exploit matchups effectively. The Grizzlies rank fourth in the league for post-up attempts, averaging 7.7 per game, with a shooting percentage of 50% from those positions.
Improving Three-Point Shooting
Three-point shooting has been a notable concern for Memphis. In the past three games, they have not reached a shooting percentage of 40% from beyond the arc. Players like Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Coward will need to step up to capitalize on any defensive lapses from Portland.
With the stakes high, effective defensive rotations and a focus on rebounding will be essential for Memphis to secure a victory against the Trail Blazers.
