The Portland Trail Blazers got a much-needed 122-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
After tough losses in Charlotte and Atlanta over the weekend, the Blazers found some offensive rhythm against the undersized Grizzlies. Jrue Holiday led the way with 35 points, including a scorching 8-11 from behind the three-point arc.
Jerami Grant added 30 points as the Blazers improved their record on the season to 30-33. The Grizzlies (29-34) used a balanced attack to keep the game close.
Seven of the eight Grizzlies that played scored in double figures, led by Jaylen Wells’ 24 points.
The Blazers won despite losing Donovan Clingan to a flagrant foul ejection late in the second quarter.
Here are some instant reactions to tonight’s game.
Player of Note
Holiday was the best all-around player on the floor tonight. When the Blazers needed baskets, he looked for his own drives and step-back threes. At other times, he acted as a distributor, setting up teammates for open shots.
His 35 points came on 13-19 overall shooting. He added 11 assists and five rebounds. He drilled a pair of threes in the opening minutes of the game, then got even stronger as the game progressed. In the decisive fourth quarter, he knocked down four big three-pointers to seal the win.
And for a team with a massive turnover problem, his steady second half play was huge. He had three turnovers in the game, but none came after halftime.
Over his last 11 games, Holiday is now 35-77 (45%) from behind the three-point line.
Stat of the Night
Eighty-five points! That’s the total number scored by Holiday, Grant, and Robert William III, who had a season-high 20 off the bench. The trio accounted for nearly 70% of the team’s total. No other Blazer scored in double-figures.
What We Noticed
Unexpected small ball: Early in the game, it looked like the Grizzlies would have no answer for Clingan. In the opening minutes, he recorded three blocks, including two that didn’t even require him to leave his feet. But as the first half went on, Clingan appeared to grow increasingly frustrated with the officials as the smaller Grizzlies hacked at him every time he touched the ball in the paint or fought for an offensive rebound.
With 3:14 remaining in the second quarter, he took out his frustration by delivering a right elbow to the jaw of Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Officials reviewed the play, assessed Clingan a Flagrant Foul (Penalty 2) and ejected him from the game. In his 12+ minutes, he contributed seven points, nine rebounds (five offensive) and four blocks.
Coach Tiago Splitter opted to start small in the second half, inserting Sidy Cissoko into the lineup in place of Clingan. The smaller lineups worked well, turning a halftime tie into a slight lead and allowed Splitter to use Williams III as he normally would.
Scoot’s Struggles: Scoot Henderson started for the second time (out of 11 total appearances) since returning from his hamstring injury, but never got rolling against Memphis. He spent much of the night in foul trouble and finished with 8 points on 3-11 shooting.
Over his past six games, he is now just 4-34 (11.7%) from distance.
Up Next
The Blazers finish up their five-game road trip Friday night in Houston against the Rockets. Tip is scheduled for 5:00 PM Pacific.
