The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 19-96 on Sunday night thanks to a strong first-half lead from Santi Aldama (22 points), Jaylen Wells (17), and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (17).
Memphis won for the seventh time in nine games thanks to 15 points from Jock Landale.
Portland’s top scorer, Jerami Grant, scored 21 points. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 17 points. Although Avdija finished his run of at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists at five games, he did add seven rebounds and seven assists.
Neither of Portland’s top two centers were present. Robert Williams III was a late scratch due to illness, and Donovan Clingan missed his second straight game due to a bruise in his left lower calf. Yang Hansen, a 7-foot-2 rookie who was selected with the 16th overall pick last summer, was left to start his first game. The Chinese athlete pulled down five rebounds in addition to four points.
Poor shooting and a load of Portland turnovers helped Memphis build the lead to 25 in the first half. Memphis led 66-46 at halftime, the 46 Portland points matching the lowest output of the season in a half. Fourteen turnovers and 35% shooting overall contributed to the Trail Blazers’ woes.
Portland opened the second half with a 19-3 run to cut it to 69-65. Memphis countered and took a 92-78 lead into the fourth.