Philippines, 13 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: Why the Blazers will KO the Grizz


PhilBoxing.com



Damian Lillard.

CHICAGO -- The Portland Trail Blazers remind me of a woman in a darkened bar who blinds you with the shimmer of her designer clothes and mesmerizes you with the scent of her Armani perfume.

But when you get past the shock and probe a little deeper, you see enough flaws to either flee the scene or check out some other chick.

Yes, Damian Lillard is amazing, the clear MVP of the restart. Through eight bubble games, he dropped 301 points and 78 assists to carry Portland from 10th place in the West standings to an eighth seed and a place in the play-in tournament.

But there are plenty of reasons why Portland isn't in the top four and wouldn't have had homecourt advantage if the pandemic hadn't closed all NBA arenas.

With an overall record of 35-39, Portland ranks 26th in the league in points allowed per game (116.1). They are 28th in defensive rating (114.8) and 12th in rebounding (45.3).

In other words, they don't rebound well and barely play any defense. Translation: Not exactly a championship contender.

In their dramatic last outing, the Blazers gave up 133 points to a Nets team that didn't have four of their five starters. Portland's defense was so porous that Joe Harris, a 3-point specialist who is white as a cumulus cloud, penetrated the lane like LeBron.

But the eye-popping highlight reels such as Lillard's brazen 3-point conversion that was hurled from Jerry West's thigh near the center court logo make us conveniently ignore Portland's wrinkles.

In a few hours, the Blazers can formally punch their play-off when they face a wounded Grizzlies team that faces a must-win-twice handicap as the ninth seed.

The NBA shouldn't trouble itself with scheduling a Game 2. Memphis will be one and done.

Lillard is unstoppable. I don't know if the man had just visited a volcano but his hands are hot as lava. He made 93 of 187 field goals during the seeding games. Drained 49 of 101 triples and 71 of 80 free throws including 18 for 18 while slapping the Mavericks with 61 points.

The Grizzlies can try to double Lillard, a dangerous dragnet which opens the floor for the resurgent Carmelo Anthony and smooth operator C.J. McCullom, who despite a broken bone in his back, has managed to erupt for 167 points in the bubble.

Thank God, no championship is being fought here and Portland's defensive deficiencies shouldn't be much of a problem against a Memphis crew that also has a myriad of issues.

The Grizzlies are 15th in the NBA in defensive rating and they are 21st in points allowed per at 113.7. That's why they went 2-6 in the bubble and 34-39 overall.

The Grizzlies are excellent at rebounding, fifth overall in the league at 46.5. But the Blazers, with bigs Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins back from injuries, have upped their rebounding production to 44 per, which greatly reduces their exposure.

Ja Morant, who norms 17.8 points and 7.3 assists an outing, is a dazzling figure to behold. Streak shooting, high-leaping and spectacular at finding the open teammate.

But without injured teammates Jaren Jackson Jr (17.8 points and 4.6 rebs per) and Tyus Jones (7.4 points and 4.4 assists per) the Grizzlies simply do not have the manpower and the firepower to match the peaking Blazers.

The Blazers not only have momentum beneath their wings, they also have been here before, tried and tested in the crucible of big moments.

Memphis has a lot of skill and will. It does not have the but experience to navigate the emotional tides of a pressure-packed win or go home duel.

The Blazers-Grizzlies knockout encounter is just a few hours away. So get some sleep and set your alarm clocks at Dame Time.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.