Memphis Grizzlies (5-0) beat Portland Trail Blazers (3-1) 124-103 on the road on Thursday, October 29. The final margin was 21 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The teams matched each other with 25 points apiece in the first quarter, leaving it level at 25. The teams matched each other with 33 points apiece in the second quarter; the score was tied at 58 at halftime.
The Grizzlies won the third 33-25 to turn the game around, taking a 8-point lead into the fourth. The Grizzlies took the fourth 33-20; the Grizzlies finished the job for a 124-103 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Grizzlies took better care of the ball, turning it over on 9.8% of possessions compared with 15.2% for the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies got more from their shots, finishing at 54.9% effective field-goal shooting compared with 47.3% for the Trail Blazers. Those extra possessions were crucial.
The Trail Blazers did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 18.7 against 11.8. The Grizzlies made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 104 possessions per team, the Grizzlies produced 119.4 points per 100 possessions to 99.2 for the Trail Blazers.
The Grizzlies' reserves also made a difference, outscoring the opposing bench 67-40.
Who stood out
Cameron Boozer was the game's biggest individual force for MEM: 18 pts, 11 reb, 12 ast on 6-10 shooting. His Game Score of 23.5 led everyone. His team was +20 with him on the floor.
Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 24 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast on 8-16 shooting, good for a 22.7 Game Score.
Cameron Boozer (18 pts, 11 reb, 12 ast) recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Grizzlies entered with about a 17% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Portland Trail Blazers lead 4-3.
The Grizzlies are now 5-0, and the Trail Blazers are 3-1. The Grizzlies last five before this game: L-W-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.