The Memphis Grizzlies will host the Portland Trail Blazers on December 10, 2023, at 6 p.m. EST in Memphis, Tennessee. This matchup features rising stars Santi Aldama for the Grizzlies and Deni Avdija for the Trail Blazers, both of whom are making significant impacts on their teams this season.
The Grizzlies currently hold a record of 10-13, placing them ninth in the Western Conference, while the Trail Blazers stand at 9-14, sitting in tenth place. Memphis has shown resilience in conference play with a record of 9-7. Despite a strong performance overall, the Grizzlies have struggled in games decided by 10 or more points, managing only a 3-9 record in such situations.
In comparison, the Trail Blazers have a 7-9 record within the Western Conference. They have been challenged defensively, allowing an average of 120.7 points per game, while being outscored by 2.4 points on average. Both teams rely heavily on their three-point shooting, with the Grizzlies averaging 12.9 made shots from beyond the arc, slightly surpassing the 12.6 that the Trail Blazers allow.
Key Players and Recent Performance
Aldama is emerging as a key player for Memphis, averaging 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. His performance has been bolstered recently by Cedric Coward, who has averaged 23.0 points and 14.0 rebounds while shooting 55.6% over his last ten games. On the other side, Avdija has been a standout for Portland, posting impressive averages of 26.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. Jerami Grant has also been a significant contributor, averaging four made three-pointers over the last ten games.
In their last ten outings, the Grizzlies have recorded a 6-4 record, averaging 114.1 points, 50.1 rebounds, and 29.8 assists per game, shooting at a rate of 46.7% from the field. Their opponents, however, have averaged 110.2 points per game against them. The Trail Blazers, conversely, have struggled recently with a 3-7 record, averaging 114.1 points, 49.0 rebounds, and 23.9 assists per game while shooting 43.0% from the field. Their last ten opponents have outscored them, averaging 118.8 points.
Injury Reports and Implications
Both teams are dealing with significant injuries that could impact their performances. For the Grizzlies, Ja Morant is listed as day-to-day due to a calf injury, while Scotty Pippen Jr. and Brandon Clarke are out with toe and knee injuries, respectively. The Trail Blazers face their own challenges, with Scoot Henderson out due to a hamstring injury, Matisse Thybulle out with a thumb issue, and Damian Lillard out for the season due to an Achilles injury.
As the Grizzlies prepare to host the Trail Blazers, both teams will be looking to improve their standings in the competitive Western Conference. With key players stepping up and injuries affecting roster depth, this matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter for basketball fans.
