Game 37: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 7:00pm

Memphis Grizzlies coverage at 3 Shades of Blue.

Point Guard

Andre Miller will need to have another good game (last night 22 points, 16 assists) so that our guards dominate this game to make up for our lack of size. Patty Mills gets his first NBA points in this one.

Mike Conley has struggled against PDX in two games this year, but Jamaal Tinsley had a season high 16 points the last time the Grizz were in town.

Advantage: Portland

Shooting Guard

Brandon Roy's streak of 15 games of scoring 23 points or more ended last night when he put up only six points in LA. Roy starts his streak over tonight in this one with another big game of 30-plus. Jerryd Bayless will need to get hot again for the Blazers to get the W.

OJ Mayo is having a nice sophomore season with almost identical statistics as his rookie campaign (18 pts, four rbs, three assists). But he is not yet at BRoy's all-star level.

Advantage: Portland

Small Forward

Martell Webster is coming off back to back 20-plus point efforts. It's great to see him stepping his game up with all of the injuries. Another good game from him is needed here, but Webster is know to disappear after a couple of big games.

Rudy Gay is another streaky player that can explode for big nights. Gay has been quiet in the first two games against the Blazers, and is coming off an off-shooting night (six for 21) so he may will be looking to get off to a good start tonight.

Advantage: Memphis

Power Forward

We need LaMarcus Aldridge to return tonight from his injured ankle. His status is up in the air. Juwan Howard has been the man filling in for our big men all season, but he can't continue to play 35 minutes every night.

Zach Randolph will be a load tonight. Not only does he love playing against his former team, but he has been playing at an all-star level over the past month (Dec. averages of 24 pts and 14 rbs). I'm rooting for foul trouble for Randolph tonight.

Advantage: Memphis

Center

Jeff Pendergraph continues his crash course in being thrown into the NBA fire. I love the hustle, toughness, and grit he brings to the lineup. But he will have his hands full tonight against Marc Gasol. Pau's brother is a major reason why the Grizzlies have a surprising 16-16 record. Gasol is averaging 15 points and boards on the season. Pendo needs to match Gasol's work on the boards tonight.

Advantage: Memphis

Overall Winner

Blazers, led by some BRoy Heroics.