Memphis attempts to break a season long 6 game home losing streak against one of their main competitors in the Western Conference playoff hunt. Memphis has managed to remain in the playoff hunt by winning four successive road games but their failure to secure the home court since a February 1st win over the Lakers has the playoffs looking less and less likely. Memphis sent Hasheem Thabeet to Dakota once he lost him back up center role to Hamed Haddadi but Hamed failed to play well against the Knicks which makes the backup center position a question mark once again. Zach Randolph is continuing his strong play posting a career high 25 rebounds against the Knicks to go with 31 pts.

Position Breakdown:

 
Point Guards: Mike Conley vs Andre Miller
Andre Miller has never been a great perimeter shooter but he is a solid leader who knows how to use his size to post up smaller players. Mike Conley is a smaller player who's leadership has been called into question a lot lately as he struggles to adapt to the NBA in this his third NBA season. Miller has been something of a disappointment in Portland after signing a big free agent contract over the season. His 13.6 ppg and 5.5 apg were not what the Blazers brass expected from the 10 yr NBA veteran. Mike Conley has also been a disappointment as he has failed to continue to improve from his second half performance last season. Conley has been more aggressive lately and made some big plays down the stretch against New York but the inconsistency has been an issue with him.
Advantage: Portland 

 
Shooting Guards: O J Mayo vs Brandon Roy
Roy is among the elite young SG's in the league, just a step below Kobe Bryant in reputation. Roy's composure as a leader on the team stems as much from his age (26 this summer) as his experience (4th NBA season). Roy was supposedly the instigator in getting Randolph moved out of Portland years ago so Memphis fans should be grateful to him. Mayo has scored in double figures in every game since the Grizzlies win over the Lakers and took over the team's offense down the stretch in the win against Washington but then was forgotten until the waning seconds in the loss to Charlotte and shot poorly against the Knicks but did play well defensively in that game. Mayo has averaged 21 ppg against Portland this season and will need to continue to score well for the Grizzlies to have a chance.
Advantage: Portland 

 
Small Forwards: Rudy Gay vs Nicolas Batum
Rudy Gay has been a strong scorer for the Grizzlies this season but has appeared to be best used as the secondary scorer instead of the lead dog. That role allows Rudy to focus on his shot instead of spreading the ball around which is a weakness in his game. Batum doesn't have a many weaknesses in his game. He also isn't exceptional at much either. A kind of jack of all trades, master of none Batum gives solid effort every night, makes a high percentage of his shots from anywhere on the court and when aggressive is dangerous. Rudy will need to be on his A game against Batum and not let his focus, especially on defense, waiver.
Advantage: Memphis

 
Power Forwards: Zach Randolph vs LaMarcus Aldridge
LaMarcus Aldridge has established himself as the #2 scorer on the Blazers with a nice mid-range jump shot that he can hit from either side of the key. His 17.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg makes him a solid PF in only his 4th NBA season. However he has struggled matching up with Z-Bo averaging only 14.3 ppg and 8.0 rpg. Randolph on the other hand has been solid scoring 19.7 ppg (slightly below his season avg) and 11.7 rpg (about equal to his average). Randolph stepped up big against one of his former teams in the Knicks and may use some of that momentum and motivation to dominate the softer Aldridge inside.
Advantage: Memphis

 
Centers: Marc Gasol vs Marcus Camby
Camby has struggled adapting to the Portland system but the defensive genius still can stop opposing teams best interior player. The question is will Camby play Randolph or Gasol. Randolph has struggled against Camby this season so logic implies that is the person Camby should match up against but Aldridge is too soft to play Gasol. Gason is adequate at best defensively in the paint but Camby is strictly a put back type of scorer now and the Grizzlies should be able to rebound well enough to limit that aspect of Camby's game. Gasol's hook shot is unblockable as well so Camby may struggle to defend the young center.
Advantage: Memphis 

  
Benches: Memphis vs Portland
Portland's bench began the season ranked among the league's best but injuries and trades have severely depleted this once strong group. Greg Oden and Joel Pryzibilla are out for the season with injuries. Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake have been traded. The biggest threats off the bench now are MArtell Webster who is simply a long range bomber and Jerryd Bayless who is a super fast PG who struggles with his outside shot. Rudy Fernandez is rumored to be so unhappy with his role in Portland he is considering returning to Real Madrid after his contract runs out. Memphis' bench was terrible against New York but has been playing better of late with the return of Darrell Arthur from injury and the promotion of Hamed Haddadi and Marcus Williams. Sam Young continues to have the normal struggles of a rookie with consistency but has been playing well overall. The difference is Portland is more consistent with their bench production.
Advantage: Portland

Other Commentary:
Portland Roundball Society - An ESPN TrueHoop Network blog
Blazers Edge
Beyond the Arc
Grizzed by VanJulio
Straight Out of Vancouver
David Loves the Grizzlies
Grizzfans.com 

Comments

El Lobo

0

 

 

Portland with Roy and Aldridge back will be tough to beat. And their bench has proven to be very productive. The Grizz will have to play their best to beat them. We really need to win these home games. Have to protect your own house. Go Grizz!

Monday 01 March 2010, 12:46

Post Reply

B

i

u

Quote

Code

List

List item

URL

Name *
Code   
ChronoComments by Joomla Professional Solutions

Submit Comment

Cancel

B

i

u

Quote

Code

List

List item

URL

Name *
Code   
ChronoComments by Joomla Professional Solutions

Submit Comment