Bane leads Memphis against Portland after 44-point performance

By Canadian Press on March 18, 2025.

Memphis Grizzlies (43-26, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (30-39, 12th in the Western Conference)

Portland, Oregon; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Memphis visits the Portland Trail Blazers after Desmond Bane scored 44 points in the Grizzlies’ 132-122 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

The Trail Blazers have gone 15-30 against Western Conference opponents. Portland has a 7-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Grizzlies are 25-17 in conference games. Memphis is second in the Western Conference with 13.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Zach Edey averaging 3.6.

The Trail Blazers are shooting 45.1% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points lower than the 45.6% the Grizzlies allow to opponents. The Grizzlies average 8.5 more points per game (122.7) than the Trail Blazers give up to opponents (114.2).

TOP PERFORMERS: Shaedon Sharpe is scoring 17.5 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Anfernee Simons is averaging 24.3 points and 2.5 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is scoring 22.5 points per game with 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Grizzlies. Bane is averaging 21.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 47.5% over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Trail Blazers: 4-6, averaging 113.8 points, 47.2 rebounds, 23.0 assists, 8.2 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.4 points per game.

Grizzlies: 5-5, averaging 120.3 points, 47.0 rebounds, 27.6 assists, 9.4 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points.

INJURIES: Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton: out (calf), Jabari Walker: out (concussion), Robert Williams III: out (knee), Toumani Camara: out (calf), Jerami Grant: out (knee).

Grizzlies: Vince Williams Jr.: day to day (ankle), Santi Aldama: day to day (calf), Zyon Pullin: out (knee), Ja Morant: day to day (shoulder).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

The Associated Press

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