Aldama shines as Grizzlies survive third-quarter scare to rout Trail Blazers 119-96

In the NBA, a 20-point halftime lead is often described as the most dangerous margin in the game. On Sunday night, the Memphis Grizzlies stared down that exact scenario, watching a dominant first half nearly evaporate before finding the accelerator again to secure a 119-96 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

For a moment in the third quarter, the air seemed to leave the building. But rather than folding, the Grizzlies responded with the kind of collective resilience that coaches dream of, turning a potential collapse into a comfortable blowout.

Grizzlies Weather the Storm

The narrative of the night seemed written after 24 minutes. Memphis had dismantled Portland’s defense, carrying a commanding 66-46 lead into the locker room. The offense was humming, the ball was moving, and the defensive rotations were crisp.

Then came the third quarter.

Portland came out of the break looking like a completely different squad, orchestrating a blistering 19-3 run that stunned the home crowd. Suddenly, that comfortable 20-point cushion had dwindled to a fragile four-point lead at 69-65. The momentum had shifted entirely to the visitors, with Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija attacking the rim and finding open lanes that simply weren’t there in the first half.

This was the inflection point. In seasons past, or with less disciplined teams, this is where the wheels might have fallen off. Instead, the Grizzlies dug in. They stopped the bleeding with aggressive defense and capitalized on Portland’s turnovers. Memphis closed the quarter strong, rebuilding the lead to 92-78 entering the fourth, effectively slamming the door on the Trail Blazers’ comeback hopes.

Aldama and Bench Depth Fuel Offense

While the stars often grab the headlines, this victory was a testament to the Grizzlies’ depth. Santi Aldama was the catalyst, providing a spark whenever the offense stagnated. Aldama finished with a team-high 22 points, showcasing his versatility and ability to stretch the floor. He wasn’t just scoring; he was efficient, aggressive, and decisive.

He wasn’t alone. Jaylen Wells continued his impressive play, chipping in 17 points, matching the output of veteran marksman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Having KCP on the floor provided a stabilizing presence during Portland’s run, proving exactly why his championship pedigree is so valuable to this roster.

The Grizzlies also got a significant boost from Jock Landale, who contributed 15 points and battled inside. When you have four or five players scoring in double figures, it makes the defensive scouting report a nightmare for the opposition. Sunday night proved that the Grizzlies don’t need to rely on a single hero to get the job done.

Edey Dominates the Paint

Sophomore sensation Zach Edey continues to show why he is a force to be reckoned with in the paint. Edey recorded a double-double, finishing with 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. His presence in the lane changed shots and forced Portland to think twice before driving inside.

While the box score shows the points and rebounds, it doesn’t fully capture the physicality Edey brought to the matchup. With Portland missing its own towering presence in Donovan Clingan, Edey feasted on the interior. His ability to clean up the glass and provide second-chance opportunities was vital in the fourth quarter as Memphis pulled away for good.

Trail Blazers Hampered by Absences

It was a tough night for Portland, compounded by a lack of available bodies. The Trail Blazers were already without sophomore center Donovan Clingan for the second straight game. To make matters worse, Robert Williams III was a late scratch due to illness, leaving their frontcourt severely depleted against a Grizzlies team willing to pound the ball inside.

Jerami Grant did his best to keep Portland afloat, leading the Blazers with 21 points. Deni Avdija filled the stat sheet with 17 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, and Shaedon Sharpe added 17 of his own. But without their rim protectors, and plagued by poor shooting stretches and costly turnovers during the Grizzlies’ decisive runs, the hill was simply too steep to climb.

What’s Next for the Grizzlies

This win serves as a morale booster and a lesson in game management for Memphis. They proved they could take a punch and punch back harder.

The Grizzlies will look to carry this momentum into Friday night when they play host to the Utah Jazz. For Portland, the road trip continues as they look to bounce back against New Orleans on Thursday.