The Memphis Grizzlies enter their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers with a 4-0 start, with Ty Jerome and Zach Edey highlighted ahead of the game at Moda Center.
The Story
The Memphis Grizzlies will look to keep rolling when they face the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center after starting the season 4-0.
In a preview conversation with Memphis Grizzlies On SI contributor Landon Speck, the core of that early success was tied first to guard/forward Ty Jerome’s scoring burst and the way rotation players have contributed without extended stretches of poor play.
Speck said Jerome’s “nuclear start” has been a major catalyst, while pointing to the collective effort of the Grizzlies’ rotation. He noted that no rotation player has yet had what he called a “truly bad game,” and cited impacts from Cameron Boozer, Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cam Spencer. Speck added that Memphis being healthy early has helped Tuomas Iisalo “unlock his vision of an NBA offense.”
On Jerome specifically, Speck said he does not expect Jerome to sustain an average of 30 points per game, but called the underlying efficiency “absolutely sustainable.” He said Jerome has been close to a “50/40/90 player” since joining the Golden State Warriors and, more notably, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he argued Jerome’s current production is similar to his technical level in recent seasons, with the difference being increased playing time.
The preview also emphasized center Zach Edey’s impact beyond box-score results. Speck said Edey “changes everything,” describing a Grizzlies net rating of +26.7 points per 100 with Edey on the floor last season across 11 games, and +26.1 NET rating with him in a three-game microsample this season.
Defensively, Speck said Edey affects opponents even when he is not blocking shots, and he also described Memphis as becoming “an elite rebounding team” with Edey.
Speck addressed what could derail Memphis if the Grizzlies lose to Portland, pointing to matchup issues and roster matchups. He said Donovan Clingan is “as good an Edey matchup as there will be,” and he highlighted the size and defensive options Portland could use against Ty Jerome, including Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday. Speck also described Deni Avdija as the “best player between both of these teams” and said Portland is “pound-for-pound more talented in general,” adding that it is the fourth game of a West Coast road trip for Memphis.
For the outcome, Speck said he expects Portland to have an advantage, predicting that “the Trail Blazers get the win” in the matchup, citing factors including consecutive off days for Memphis and Portland’s individual matchups and offensive firepower.
← More stories