Trail Blazers at Grizzlies
Memphis saw what Jeff Green can do for its offense and the recent acquisition looks for another stellar performance when the Grizzlies host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Green had 21 points in Friday’s 106-96 win over the Orlando while playing in his second game since being dealt to Memphis from the Boston Celtics. “Adding a guy like Jeff just gives us that much more versatility,” point guard Mike Conley told reporters after sitting out with soreness in both ankles.
The Trail Blazers were easily handled by the San Antonio Spurs 110-96 on Friday and dropped to 12-6 on the road. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and eight rebounds against San Antonio and he has experienced success against the Grizzlies with six double-doubles in the last seven meetings. Memphis won this season’s lone matchup 112-99 as center Marc Gasol had 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Aldridge had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Portland.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), SportSouth (Memphis)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (30-10): Aldridge and point guard Damian Lillard (23 points) were the only two starters who had respectable outings as the trio of center Chris Kaman (six points), small forward Nicolas Batum (five) and guard Wesley Matthews (two) combined for only 13 points. Matthews has struggled over the past two games, averaging five points on a combined 4-of-17 shooting but had a big game against the Grizzlies in November when he made seven 3-pointers and scored 26 points. Matthews had made at least one 3-pointers in 20 consecutive games before missing all three of his long-range shots against the Spurs.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (28-11): Conley is expected to miss his second straight game as he is experiencing swelling and discomfort in both ankles and hopes to avoid a lengthy absence. “Hopefully it won’t be too much longer,” Conley told reporters. “It’s feeling a little better so (Saturday) I may be moving around a little more.” Conley has been enjoying an All-Star-caliber season with averages of 17.9 points and 6.1 assists while helping Memphis stand out as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Memphis has won six of the past seven meetings.
2. Gasol had 12 points and 16 rebounds against Orlando for his first double-double since Jan. 2.
3. Portland C Meyers Leonard has strung together four straight double-digit outings, averaging 11 points on 16-of-23 shooting during the stretch.