Grizzlies Dominate Short-Handed Blazers in Stunning Blowout
On a chilly night at the Moda Center, the Portland Trail Blazers faced one of their most humbling defeats of the NBA season, falling 132-87 to a Memphis Grizzlies team playing without their injured stars Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Despite missing key components, the Grizzlies unleashed a relentless attack that left the Blazers reeling, trailing by wide margins throughout the encounter.
From the outset, Portland’s struggles were evident. By the end of the first quarter, the Blazers found themselves in a daunting 19-point deficit. As the game progressed into the second quarter, the gap widened to 25 points, reflecting a pattern that would persist as the matchup wore on. By the third quarter, Memphis had comfortably extended their lead to 35 points, effectively sealing Portland’s fate.
One of the most glaring aspects of Portland's performance was their inability to connect from beyond the arc. The team shot a dismal 9.5%, landing only 4 of their 42 three-point attempts. This offensive struggle contributed significantly to Portland's woeful output of just 80.9 points per 100 possessions, marking the lowest efficiency in the league this season.
With this loss, Portland's record dropped to 3-8, their third consecutive defeat, raising concerns about the team's current trajectory. Head coach Chauncey Billups did not mince words in his post-game comments, candidly expressing his disappointment with the team’s lackluster performance.
“It was just f---ing embarrassing, to be honest with you,” Billups declared. “We were soft as hell the whole game. Nobody really fought. It was just embarrassing.” His frustration was palpable, as he continued to criticize the Blazers’ effort on the court.
Billups further addressed his team’s lack of competitive spirit, stating, “I told 'em that anybody that sleeps well tonight, you're a loser. It’s just that simple. You sleep well after this one, you’re a loser.”
The coach's assessment was equally critical of the team's overall showing, noting that it wasn't just a few players falling short. “I'm not just going to pinpoint one or two guys; they all were terrible. But for the most part, everybody, they all sucked,” he bluntly remarked.
Reflecting on the nature of the loss, Billups emphasized that it was not merely the margin but the manner of the defeat that was most troubling. “We've lost by more points than this, but it's how. It's how. It's just you're laying down and just kind of caving in and giving in,” he explained, questioning the Blazers’ lack of fight.
Taking accountability as the team’s leader, Billups added, “At the end of the day, that's on me. I'm the leader of this. This is our team, but I'm the head of this. So, to me, I take that very personally.” This self-reflection underscored his dedication to addressing the issues plaguing his squad.
As Portland’s players and coaching staff regroup, there’s little time for reflection with back-to-back games against the Minnesota Timberwolves looming, including a match in the NBA Cup on Tuesday, followed by another encounter on Wednesday. For Billups and the Blazers, these games will provide an immediate opportunity to recalibrate and recapture their competitive edge, an endeavor that seems all the more urgent in the aftermath of this disheartening performance.
In the wake of such a defeat, Billups remains puzzled by his team’s sudden collapse. “I really don't know where that came from, to be honest with you. We scrap. That's what we do. We don't win all our games -- not even close -- but we fight. We don't lay down. And today they laid down.”
Indeed, finding answers and rekindling their fighting spirit are paramount for the Blazers as they strive to reverse their fortunes and regain their footing in a demanding NBA season.