Portland Trail Blazers Routed by Memphis Grizzlies: A Night of Unprecedented Struggles
In a matchup that will be memorable for all the wrong reasons, the Portland Trail Blazers suffered a crushing 132-87 defeat at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. The game, held at the Moda Center, highlighted a slew of issues for the Blazers, marking a sobering reality check for a team already struggling in the early stages of the NBA season.
The absence of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane didn't hinder the Grizzlies, who showcased an effortless dominance from start to finish. Portland quickly found themselves in deep trouble, trailing by 19 points by the end of the first quarter. Things only got worse as the Blazers fell behind by 25 points in the second quarter, with the Grizzlies widening the gap to a staggering 35 points by the third.
Offensively, the Blazers had one of their worst performances, shooting a dismal 9.5% from beyond the arc, making only 4 of their 42 attempts. Portland's offense struggled massively, mustering just 80.9 points per 100 possessions, earning the title of the least efficient offensive outing in the NBA this season.
As the Blazers' season record slipped to 3-8, marking their third consecutive loss, head coach Chauncey Billups did not mince words when reflecting on the team's performance. "It was just f---ing embarrassing, to be honest with you," he admitted. His candor continued, painting a stark picture of the team's lackluster performance: "We were soft as hell the whole game. Nobody really fought. It was just embarrassing."
Billups expressed his disappointment with the team's effort, emphasizing accountability in unequivocal terms. "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," he stated, sending a clear message about his expectations for team resilience and hustle.
With frustration palpable, Billups made no effort to single out individual players for blame. "I'm not just going to pinpoint one or two guys; they all were terrible. But for the most part, everybody, they all sucked." The coach’s blunt assessment highlighted the collective responsibility of the team for their recent struggles.
The manner of the defeat, more than the margin, troubled Billups. “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 remarked, underscoring the psychological battle that his team appeared to lose.
Billups also shouldered some personal responsibility for the lackluster performance, acknowledging the role of leadership in maintaining team morale and tenacity. "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.”
Despite the disappointing effort, Billups expressed disbelief at the team's uncharacteristic disengagement. “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.”
Looking ahead, the Blazers face the Minnesota Timberwolves next in the NBA Cup on Tuesday, followed by another encounter on Wednesday. These games represent an opportunity to rebound and correct the course of what has been a rocky start to their season. If they are to regroup, the Blazers will need to rediscover the grit and determination that Billups insists is at the core of their identity.