----- Ja Morant finished with 22 points and 11 assists and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points and six rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 123-98 Monday night at FedExForum in Memphis, TN.
Banged up Trail Blazers run out of gas in Memphis!
The Portland Trail Blazers (7-11) entered the game without Deandre Ayton (Right Index Finger), Scoot Henderson (Back), Kris Murray (Bruised Sternum), and Donovan Clingan (Left Knee) and lost two more during their 123-98 loss Monday night at FedExForum. Robert Williams III got the start at center tonight but didn't return in the second half. He was being evaluated for a possible concussion, and Jerami Grant left the game with an apparent left knee injury and did not return. No update was given on their status following the game.
Memphis (11-7) opened the game on a 15-4 as the Blazers started just 1-of-10 from the field.
The Grizzlies held a 65-54 halftime lead following a three-pointer from Ja Morant with 4.3 seconds left in the second quarter.
The Trail Blazers cut the deficit to six at 73-67, but Memphis responded with a 12-2 run to push their lead to 16 at 85-69.
Memphis put the game away with a 14-5 run to open the fourth and led by as many as 28-points in the period.
The Trail Blazers shot a woeful 17.4% from three-point range (8-of-46).
Morant finished with 22 points and 11 assists and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 21 points and six assists.
Deni Advija led Portland with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers conclude their five-game road trip Wednesday afternoon in Indiana against the Pacers. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Hard to win in the NBA when you connect on just 8-of-46 from three-point range