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A closer look into how the Portland Trail Blazers contained Ja Morant

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Ja Morant before a game. Morant played against the Portland Trail Blazers in yesterday's game
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

The Portland Trail Blazers held star rookie guard Ja Morant to just 2 points in the first half, and a rough shooting night overall. How did they do it? And what can we learn for future matchups?

Jonas Valančiūnas and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s brilliance provided as great a distraction as you’ll find in the NBA. But at some point in the first half of yesterday’s game, Portland Trail Blazers fans and NBA fans alike had to find themselves wondering:

“Has anyone seen Ja Morant score the ball yet?”

And for the first 23 minutes of the game, that answer was a resounding “no.” But given Morant’s credentials — a 17.7 point per game scorer on an efficient 56.4 true shooting percentage — you figured he was poised for an offensive resurgence at some point. Like a timed-bomb ticking.

Ja Morant nearly came, saw, and conquered. He anchored the Grizzlies’ blistering third quarter rally, scoring 11 of their 36 points in the third quarter. Portland, though, found a way to withstand the most devastating of blows. All told, the Rookie of the Year front-runner scored 22 points, but needed 22 shots to do so. And even more importantly, the Blazers much-maligned defense held him to 2-of-8 shooting over the final 17 minutes of the game.

Don’t mistake this for being a critical analysis of Morant’s game. There were moments in which he reminded you of why he’ll be a superstar in the very near future. He orchestrated his team’s gameplan well (a game-high 11 assists), rebounded and pushed in transition, and overcame his rust to put his team into a position to win.

As most know, the Portland Trail Blazers’ path to a seventh consecutive Playoff appearance likely puts them face-to-face with the Memphis Grizzlies in at least two more matchups.

And, for that reason, the Blazers’ defensive philosophy on Morant deserves a second look, and something to reference in those future matchups. Here are three aspects that stood out in Round One of the “heavyweight fight.”