The Memphis Grizzlies return home Monday night to play the Portland Trail Blazers with a momentum boost powered by exemplary teamwork.
The Grizzlies are among the league leaders in assists per game (29.8) and their 38 in Saturday’s lopsided win at Chicago tied a season-high. Memphis ranked third behind Denver (30.3) and Golden State (30.2) in the category entering Sunday’s games.
Scotty Pippen Jr., the Grizzlies’ starting point guard until star Ja Morant returns from a hip injury, had 10 assists in the 142-131 victory over the Bulls to go along with a career-high 30 points. Pippen Jr. produced the double-double in the arena his father, Scottie, rose to stardom during the 1990s with the Michael Jordan-led Bulls.
Pippen Jr. called his outing “a dream come true” in an arena where his father’s jersey number hangs in the rafters. He made 13 of his 16 shots.
Memphis also has benefited from rookie forward Jaylen Wells’ strong early season play. He scored a career-high of his own, finishing with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
Pippen’s steady play has allowed the Grizzlies to stay above .500 during the absence not only of Morant, but Marcus Smart and rookie big man Zach Edey. Morant, Smart and Edey have been out for various injuries and ailments.
Morant injured his right hip in a Nov. 6 game against the Lakers and appears closer to returning. He was listed as doubtful before Saturday’s game in Chicago and questionable for Monday’s contest. Smart, battling an illness, missed his fourth straight game. Edey remains sidelined by an ankle injury he suffered in last weekend’s game against Denver.
Despite the injuries that have kept starters Morant, Smart and Edey inactive — and, briefly, Desmond Bane with a strained oblique — the Grizzlies have been productive offensively and defensively. They are averaging 120.3 points per game, second in the NBA entering Sunday, and their 7.2 blocks per game lead the league.
The Grizzlies surpassed 140 points for only the sixth time in franchise history on Saturday.
Memphis shot 57.3 percent (55-of-96) in the win over Chicago, including 45.2 percent (19-of-42) from 3-point range. The team made 19 3-pointers for the second straight game.
“We had a great run by scoring some 40-plus points (45) in the third (quarter),” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Our game plan was pretty well executed.”
Portland will bring momentum, too.
The Trail Blazers defeated Houston 104-98 on Saturday, rebounding from a 28-point loss to the Rockets on Friday in an NBA Cup game. Portland was led on Saturday by Anfernee Simons (25 points) and Shaedon Sharpe (24 points) in a game in which the Trail Blazers made 18 3-pointers.
In addition to Simons and Sharpe, the Trail Blazers got a solid defensive performance from Deni Avdija, who had four blocks. Avdija spent most of the game making things difficult for Houston’s Alperen Sengun in the paint.
“It’s amazing to see Anfernee make some shots and carry us down the stretch,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. “And Deni was incredible. We depended on him a lot. He’s been begging for that opportunity for quite some time.”
Avdija said Simons played a key role in the win.
“I’m proud of him,” Avdija said. “He showed what he’s made of and, hopefully, he’ll continue to be aggressive.”
Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan will not play on Monday due to a left knee sprain. He went scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting from the field on Saturday but grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds.