Blazer Beef
The Trail Blazers learned some lessons in Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies.
The Blazers and Grizzlies had the same amount of second-chance points but Portland had seven more attempts.
Opportunities against a good defensive team like Memphis don’t come easy and second-chance opportunities are some of the best to score off of. The Blazers do it better than most teams.
If Portland really wants to be like the Spurs, an aspiration they mention at every opportunity, they need to exploit the opportunities the opponent gives them.
That goes double when they play elite Western Conference teams like Memphis.
Blazer Bravo
The Blazers nine-game win streak ended on Friday. But prior to the loss, they did an excellent job of taking care of lesser opponents.
The Blazers have won all seven of their games against the lowly Eastern Conference, something they certainly hope is a theme this season.
Only one of their next seven games will come against the Western Conference. With Oklahoma City’s stars getting healthy, the Blazers need to make hay while the sun is shining.
By The Numbers
10 — The Blazers have 10 out of their next 13 games away from the Moda Center.
93 — The total three-pointers made by Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews through 16 games, which is more than any other duo in the NBA this season.
1 — The amount of teams the Blazers play in their next seven games with a record over .500.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday at Denver (6 p.m., KGW Channel 8): Since the Blazers dropped 84 points on them in the first half on Nov. 12, the Nuggets have gone 7-2.
Thursday vs. Indiana (7 p.m., CSN): The Paul George injury decimated their chances to win big in the Eastern Conference but head coach Frank Vogel has them fighting for a playoff spot.
Sunday at New York (4:30 p.m., CSN): The Blazers start a five-game road trip against the lowly Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
