The Portland Trail Blazers put forth an impressive performance on March 19, 2025, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 115-99 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The victory is pivotal for the Blazers as it brings them within two games of a play-in spot in the postseason.
Deni Avdija was the standout player of the match, scoring a game-high 31 points while also contributing 16 rebounds and 8 assists. His relentless effort on both ends of the court helped set the tone early in the game.
The Blazers capitalized on the Grizzlies’ initial mistakes; the first play saw Jaren Jackson Jr. stepping out of bounds, leading to quick points for Portland from a Toumani Camara three-pointer. From that moment, the Blazers never looked back and maintained control throughout the match, never trailing at any point.
In the third quarter, Portland opened up a significant lead with an early 20-point margin after successful trips down the court and strong offensive plays, including three-pointers from Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. Their defense was equally solid, limiting Memphis’ scoring opportunities.
Despite Memphis showing resilience and briefly cutting the lead to single digits in the third quarter, Avdija remained focused. Simons made critical plays down the stretch, scoring on a finger roll followed by a tip-in from Duop Reath, pushing the lead back to double digits. Ultimately, Portland sealed the deal with their intensity and shooting accuracy.
The Blazers exhibited sharp shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on 18 of their 46 attempts (39.1%) from three-point range, significantly outpacing Memphis. Avdija’s incredible 5 of 6 accuracy from deep during the first half played a vital role in securing the win.
Simons finished with 22 points and 5 assists, while Camara provided additional support with 15 points. Shaedon Sharpe added 17 points, reinforcing the Blazers’ offensive capabilities. The Blazers collectively dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 65-40, a statistic that is particularly noteworthy given Memphis's reputation as one of the league's best rebounding teams.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 20 points, but the absence of star player Ja Morant was felt, as Memphis struggled to find cohesion against the Blazers’ defense.
The win improved Portland's overall record to 31-39, as they now find themselves closely trailing the Dallas Mavericks, who lost to the Indiana Pacers earlier in the evening, allowing the Phoenix Suns to overtake them for the final play-in position. With only 12 games left in the season, the Blazers are solidifying their place in the playoff race.
Following this win, the Portland Trail Blazers will host the Denver Nuggets on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 7 PM. The matchup presents another opportunity for Portland to make a push towards postseason contention.
As they approach the final stretch of the regular season, the intensity is expected to ramp up. Coach and players are optimistic about their chances, as Avdija’s performance and the team’s recent momentum are promising signs for their playoff aspirations.
This recent victory—it avoiding a sweep against Memphis—could be a turning point in their campaign as they gear towards potentially securing a spot in the postseason.
In summary, the Portland Trail Blazers demonstrated resilience and skill in their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a successful end to the season. With strong performances and key contributions from multiple players, they are not just competing but actively challenging for a place in the playoffs.
