Memphis struggled against the red-hot Phoenix Suns but didn't get blown out or quit. They did look terrible especially on defense however. Don't be fooled by the final score either. This game was not close after the first half. The Grizzlies will need to figure out if it was just one of those nights or another one of those nights. The bright spot of the game was Zach Randolph's team record 10 offensive boards. Of course, he only had 13 rebounds in all which is only partially explained by the Suns hot shooting but also makes you wonder where the boards were on the defensive end of the  court.

Portland is 13-5 and starting to get the chemistry flowing from new acquisitions Andre Miller and rookie Dante Cunningham. Considering the Blazers are still missing Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw plus rookie Jeff Pendergraph, they are playing quite well overall. Most Memphis fans might remember that they dominated the 2nd half in Memphis coming back for their long road trip. The Blazers have won 8 straight games against the Grizzlies and are looking to make it 7 straight wins at the Rose Garden. Portland is in the middle of a stretch of 7 out of 8 games being played at home so they don't want to slip up.

INDIVIDUAL MATCHUPS:  

 
Point Guards: Mike Conley vs Steve Blake
Steve Blake is averaging 8.2 ppg and 4.1 apg but has the team and the fans complete confidence not to mention the coaching staff. Mike Conley is averaging 8.1 ppg and 5.2 apg but neither the team, the fans and suddenly the coaching staff seem to have any confidence in him. Is it because one player's team is winning and the other's not or what? Conley's shot which was coming on at the end of last year has deserted him as has his confidence in driving the lane. Tentative play from a player loaded with talent is going to turn fans off a lot faster than aggressive leadership from an untalented player With which most fans can actually support.
Advantage: Portland

 
Shooting Guards: O J Mayo vs Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy is the darling of the up and coming players in the league (along with Kevin Durant). At 25 yrs old however he could be reaching his ceiling as far as developing as a player. NOt that there is a lot more he needs to do. He averages 19.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 5.0 apg. Not bad for a combo quard trying to changing landscape. Mayo is four years young but could learn a lot from Roy not only about the experience of playing in the NBA but in the quality of leadership from the SG position. Mayo should be averaging numbers similiar to Roy's this season but he regressed a bit this season. His 16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 2.5 apg are not good enough yet to make him a true leader of the team. His supporters are pointing fingers at everyone else to blame for his play but the mirror probably reveals who is at fault so far.
Advantage: Portland

 
Small Forwards: Rudy Gay vs Martell Webster
Webster should be counting his lucky stars. In the last year of his rookie contract Webster is finally getting an opportunity to play thanks to injuries to Batum and Outlaw. Rudy Gay is also a free agent this summer, albeit restricted, and he is using this season as a spring board not only to a new contract but some league wide recognition of the player he's become. Averaging career highs in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and FG%, Gay has made a strong statement that he is a player to be reckoned with.
Advantage: Memphis

  
Power Forwards: Zach Randolph vs LeMarcus Aldridge
Le Marcus Aldridge's trade from Chicago enabled Portland to trade Zach Randolph. The Clippers winning the lottery enabled the Grizzlies to acquire him. Neither team is unhappy with their results so far. Aldridge is only averaging 14.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg but considering he is playing next to Greg Oden and with Brandon Roy Aldridge is doing what the team needs to win. Zach is playing like a beast averaging 18.6 ppg and 9.7 rpg and may have a chip on his shoulder when he comes to the city he was drafted. Randolph's portrayed the image of a man rehabititated this season with not even a peep of discontent or a hint of off-court troubles while setting a team record in only the 15th game of the season however Aldridge has a nice outside shot which should draft Randolph away from the hoop and has the length to trouble Randolph on defense. I'm not sure Randolph views this as a show em game since he's played in Portland a lot since being traded.
Advantage: Portland

 
Centers: Marc Gasol vs Greg Oden
Mike Conley's better half has struggled earning his place as the top overall pick in the draft two years ago. He's now fully recovered from his microfracture surgery (or as recovered as he likely will get) and is begining the show the defensive ability he was rumored to have. Offensively he is still extremely raw however. Marc Gasol is a fan favorite in Memphis and content to let the game come to him instead of forcing his impact on the game. He's fourth ojn the team in FG attempts (just 11 attempts ahead of Mike Conley) but his impact has been felt in a far larger way. Marc can't afford to get into early foul trouble however so he will need to be more careful on defense than Oden who has a legitimate big behind him.
Advantage: Portland

  
Benches: Memphis vs Portland
As usual if there is one big black eye on the Grizzlies matchups it is the bench. Despite Portland's injuries they still bring Andre Miller, Rudy Ferandez and Joel Pryzbilla off the bench and that is more than Memphis can match. Throw on developing Jerrod Bayless and the mismatches just keep getting worse. Memphis' bench is hot and cold as you would expect from such a young group of players. Thabeet had the best game of his career in Phoenix but most of the minutes were in junk time Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll are rookies and playing like it. Jamal Tinsley still isn't in game shape but hopefully he is getting closer.
Advantage: Portland

Other Commentary: 

Beyond the Arc
Grizzed by VanJulio
Straight Out of Vancouver
GrizzFans

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