Memphis is 4-0, third in the West, and has nobody on its injury report going into a four-game week. The first game is the loud one: Thursday in Portland, against a 3-0 Blazers team that now has Ja Morant.
What does the week look like?
Four games in seven days. Memphis opens Thursday at Portland, its fourth straight road game. Then the Grizzlies come home for three: Sacramento on Saturday, New Orleans on Monday and Indiana next Wednesday. There are no back-to-backs, and each home game comes with a day off before it. After a long stretch living out of suitcases, this is the part of the schedule where a hot start gets banked.
Why is Portland the game that matters most?
Because Ja Morant is on the other bench. Memphis sent him to Portland this offseason for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, and The Athletic reported that Morant is downplaying his first game against his old team. He gives the Blazers 16.3 points and 6.3 assists a night. Portland is unbeaten too, with a net rating of 16.9 to Memphis's 9.7. Deni Avdija leads them at 22.3 a game and Damian Lillard adds 21.7.
Who is out?
Nobody on the Memphis side. Zach Edey was cleared Oct. 26 after his left ankle cost him time, and Stewart and the rookie Lopez were cleared the next day. Iisalo has the whole rotation for a game that will take all of it. Portland will be without Shaedon Sharpe, out with a right knee issue, and Chris Youngblood, out with a left ankle problem.
Does the road trip catch up with them in Portland?
The schedule says it shouldn't. Memphis gets two full days of rest before Thursday, and Portland gets one. The Grizzlies played three times in the previous seven days to Portland's two, but the extra day off evens that out. Portland has the home floor. Memphis has the fresher legs and a team that has already closed out three road wins.
Is Ty Jerome's hot start strong enough to carry the homestand?
He's at 29.8 points and 6.5 assists a night and was named Western Conference Player of the Week. The last time he saw Sacramento, he put up 31 in a 123-112 win, and the Kings come to Memphis on Saturday. He has help. Cameron Boozer is pulling down 10.5 rebounds a game, Jaylen Wells is making half his threes, and Cedric Coward has hit 72.7 percent from deep.
When do the Grizzlies play the Trail Blazers?
Thursday, Oct. 29, in Portland. It is Memphis's first game against Ja Morant since trading him to the Blazers.
Are any Grizzlies injured this week?
No. Memphis has nobody on its injury report, while Portland is without Shaedon Sharpe and Chris Youngblood.
