The Memphis Grizzlies will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, coming off a strong performance powered by great teamwork.
The Grizzlies are among the top teams in the league in assists, averaging 29.8 assists per game. Their 38 assists in Saturday’s big win over the Chicago Bulls matched a season-high. Memphis is ranked third in assists, behind Denver (30.3) and Golden State (30.2), going into Sunday’s games.
Scotty Pippen Jr., who is starting as the Grizzlies’ point guard until Ja Morant returns from his hip injury, had a career-high 30 points and 10 assists in the 142-131 win over the Bulls. Pippen Jr. achieved the double-double in the same arena where his father, Scottie Pippen, became a star with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s. Pippen Jr. said it was “a dream come true” to play in the building where his father’s jersey hangs, and he made 13 of his 16 shots.
Memphis has also gotten strong play from rookie forward Jaylen Wells. Wells scored a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
Pippen’s steady play has helped the Grizzlies maintain a winning record despite being without Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, and rookie Zach Edey due to injuries. Morant has been out with a right hip injury he suffered in a game against the Lakers on November 6, and he is getting closer to returning. He was listed as doubtful before Saturday’s game against the Bulls and is questionable for Monday’s game.
Smart has missed his fourth straight game due to an illness, and Edey is still sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained last weekend against Denver.
Even with the injuries to key players like Morant, Smart, and Edey — and briefly missing Desmond Bane due to a strained oblique — the Grizzlies have been successful both offensively and defensively. They are averaging 120.3 points per game, second in the NBA entering Sunday, and they lead the league with 7.2 blocks per game.
Memphis also reached over 140 points for just the sixth time in franchise history on Saturday. In that game, they shot 57.3 percent (55-of-96) from the field and 45.2 percent (19-of-42) from three-point range. The team made 19 3-pointers for the second straight game.
“We had a great run, scoring 45 points in the third quarter,” said Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins. “Our game plan was pretty well executed.”
Portland will come into the game with momentum after a 104-98 win over Houston on Saturday. That victory followed a tough 28-point loss to the Rockets on Friday in an NBA Cup game. Anfernee Simons led Portland with 25 points, and Shaedon Sharpe added 24 points in the win. The Trail Blazers also made 18 3-pointers in the game.
Along with Simons and Sharpe, Deni Avdija provided strong defense for Portland, finishing with four blocks. Avdija spent much of the game making it difficult for Houston’s Alperen Sengun to score in the paint.
“It’s amazing to see Anfernee make some shots and carry us down the stretch,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “And Deni was incredible. We depended on him a lot. He’s been begging for that opportunity for quite some time.”
Avdija also praised Simons for his performance in the win. “I’m proud of him,” Avdija said. “He showed what he’s made of and, hopefully, he’ll continue to be aggressive.”
Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan will not play on Monday due to a left knee sprain. Clingan went scoreless in Saturday’s game, shooting 0-for-4 from the field, but he did grab a career-high 19 rebounds.
