Memphis Grizzlies score vs. Portland Trail Blazers: live updates
The Memphis Grizzlies have one more stop to make before they head back home after a four-game trip. The Grizzlies (4-3)will play the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has made some defensive changes that have helped the Blazers (5-1) become one of the league's biggest early season surprises. A season ago, the Grizzlies were sixth in defensive rating and Portland ranked 29th. Now they've essentially swapped spots, with Memphis currently 28th and Portland ninth.
The Grizzlies were short-handed in both losses against the Utah Jazz. Steven Adams (jaw soreness), Desmond Bane (right ankle) and Jake LaRavia (non-Covid illness) are questionable for Wednesday. Ziaire Williams, Danny Green and Jaren Jackson Jr. remain out.
Portland will be without its leading scorer, Damian Lillard. A second starter, Josh Hart, is also in concussion protocols. Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic have been a formidable trio that the Grizzlies can't overlook. That trio combined for 72 points Friday in a win against the Houston Rockets without Lillard.
Having Adams to match up against Nurkic could be one of the keys to the game. Nurkic is fourth in the NBA in rebounding and even though he scores 13.5 points per game, his aggressiveness goes up without Lillard. Adams averages 10 rebounds, and his low-post strength could be critical against the 290-pound Blazers center.
The Blazers lead the all-time series 55-43, including winning four of the past five meetings.
Follow along for live updates.
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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers live score updates
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies score vs. Portland Trail Blazers: live updates
