Trail Blazers at Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers aim to finish a seven-game excursion with a 6-1 record when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Portland continued its strong trip with a 118-108 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday and has also defeated the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers during the run.
The Trail Blazers notched a home win over the Golden State Warriors prior to the start of the trip and now share the third-best record in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shooting guard CJ McCollum had just six points on 2-of-13 shooting against Charlotte but exploded for 40 points - matching a season high - during a 92-83 loss to the Grizzlies on Dec. 12. Memphis is fresh off a disappointing 99-95 road loss to the Thunder as it let a 13-point lead with 6 1/2 minutes left slip away. "It's unfortunate," shooting guard Avery Bradley, who scored 27 points, told reporters after Sunday's game. "It showed because we just got together and we are a new team. We still don't know all of the plays at times."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), FS Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (39-24): Backup shooting guard Rodney Hood erupted for a season-high 27 points - all in the second half - against Charlotte while enjoying his best outing in 10 games since being acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hood scored five total points on 2-of-15 shooting over the previous three games before breaking out with a 9-of-14 performance to raise his average with Portland to 8.2. "I've been through worse slumps before," Hood told reporters. "The biggest thing I did the second half was not think as much as I have. You know, trying to learn the plays, try to figure everything out. When we just play ball I think I can affect the game in a positive way."
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (25-40): Standout point guard Mike Conley (general soreness) missed the Oklahoma City game so Delon Wright was inserted into the starting lineup and tied his season high of 17 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Wright is averaging 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists in nine games since coming over from Toronto in the deal in which Marc Gasol went to the Raptors. "Delon has been given a heck of an opportunity here," Memphis coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters after Sunday's loss. "We think he's a heck of a player. He's got a great future ahead of him and to see him able to step up when Mike is out and carry the load from the point guard position was a positive for us."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split this season's first two meetings.
2. Memphis C Jonas Valanciunas has recorded a double-double in five of his seven appearances since being acquired from the Raptors.
3. Portland swingman Evan Turner (knee) will likely miss his sixth straight game.