Grizzlies at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Portland Trail Blazers look to bounce back from their worst home loss in more than three years when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Portland was routed 116-87 by the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday while dropping to 1-2 under new coach Kaleb Canales. The Trail Blazers are just 3-9 over their last 12 games. Memphis lost to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday to start a stretch of nine of 11 games on the road.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Memphis), Comcast SportsNet (Portland)
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (25-19): The long-awaited return of star forward Zach Randolph isn’t yet paying dividends. Randolph returned to the starting lineup in the loss to the Kings and had 13 points and seven rebounds. The defense was substandard against Sacramento, and Memphis has allowed 114 or more points in three of the last four games. “I don’t want to talk about any individual person,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “All I want to talk about is that we got our butts kicked because we did not play hard and did not play together.”
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (21-25): Portland’s bench was outscored 45-9 in the humiliating loss to Milwaukee. The reserves were a combined 2-for-29 from the field with Nolan Smith (1 for 9) and Jamal Crawford (1 for 8) being the coldest performers. “We have to do more, no question about it,” Crawford said. “When the starters are in and they have the lead, we have to either maintain it or make it grow. We have to get back on track.” Portland claimed forward J.J. Hickson off waivers and hopes he can add some punch off the bench.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland has won 12 of the past 15 meetings, including a 97-84 home victory on Jan. 24.
2. Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge has 21 points and 12 rebounds against Milwaukee for his 11th double-double of the season.
3. Guard Gilbert Arenas is expected to make his Memphis debut.