Bold takeaway: Memphis rode a dominant first half to a decisive 119-96 victory, leaving Portland to scramble in the rearview. This game rewrites the narrative on who controls the pace early and how momentum can shape the final box score.
Santi Aldama poured in 22 points, while Jaylen Wells and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope each chipped in 17, helping the Grizzlies surge ahead in the opening half and never look back. Jock Landale added 15 as Memphis earned its seventh win in nine games.
For Portland, Jerami Grant led the scoring with 21 points, and Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe each contributed 17. Avdija also filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds and seven assists, but his streak of at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists ended at five games.
Portland faced adversity at center, missing both top options. Donovan Clingan sat out a second straight game with a left lower calf contusion, and Robert Williams III was a late scratch due to illness. That left 7-foot-2 rookie Yang Hansen to start his first game of the season, recording four points and five rebounds.
The game swung early on a rough shooting night and Portland turnovers, which allowed Memphis to build a substantial 25-point lead by halftime. The Grizzlies carried a 66-46 advantage into the break, a half in which Portland mustered just 46 points—their lowest output of the season up to that point—and were plagued by 14 turnovers and shooting at 35%.
Portland briefly ignited to start the second half, roaring back with a 19-3 run to trim the deficit to 69-65. Memphis steadied, pushing the lead back to 92-78 heading into the fourth and fending off further pressure.
Upcoming schedules: Trail Blazers head to New Orleans on Thursday to wrap up a five-game trip, while the Grizzlies host Utah on Friday.
Source: Associated Press
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