In a commanding performance, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 134-89 on Sunday night. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a standout for the Grizzlies, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Jake LaRavia contributed 18 points off the bench. This victory marks the Grizzlies’ fifth win in their last six games, as they showcased their dominance with a lead that reached as high as 45 points during the match.

For the Trail Blazers, Jerami Grant was the leading scorer with 20 points, but his team is currently struggling, having lost three consecutive games. The Grizzlies played without key players Ja Morant, who is nursing a right hip injury, Marcus Smart, and Desmond Bane, yet still managed to secure the win with an impressive team effort.

Memphis quickly established control of the game, taking a 31-17 lead after the first quarter and extending their advantage to as much as 25 points in the first half. The matchup featured a notable moment as Memphis rookie Zach Edey faced off against Portland’s Donovan Clingan, rekindling memories of their NCAA championship game encounter in 2024, where Clingan’s UConn team triumphed over Edey’s Purdue squad. In this game, Clingan scored 13 points while Edey added 12 to the scoreboard.

Noteworthy elements from the game included the Grizzlies’ remarkable ability in the paint, where they averaged 60.8 points before this game, managing to score 58 against the Blazers. Additionally, 5-foot-8 rookie Yuki Kawamura made his appearance in the fourth quarter to cheers from the home crowd, showcasing the goodwill between the teams. The Blazers also held a touching moment of silence before the game in honor of former broadcaster Brian Wheeler, who recently passed away at the age of 62 after serving as the voice of the Trail Blazers from 1998 to 2019.

A key moment came in the first quarter when Edey successfully boxed out Clingan for a rebound, which led to a three-point shot by Scotty Pippen Jr., propelling the Grizzlies to a 29-11 lead and establishing the tone for the game.

Statistically, the Trail Blazers faced challenges throughout the game, struggling significantly in the first half with a shooting percentage of just 17 out of 49 attempts. Their woes extended to the three-point line, where they finished a dismal 4 of 42, including just 1 of 18 in the first half.

Looking ahead, the Grizzlies are set to face the Los Angeles Lakers in their next contest on Wednesday, while the Trail Blazers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Tuesday.