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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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Portland Trail Blazers
Jusuf Nurkic and Mario Hezonja, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Size, size, and more size (and unpredictable defense):

Friday afternoon’s game gave us an idea of what happens when you pit a grizzly bear against a Bosnian Beast. In stopping Ja Morant’s game-breaking pick-and-roll and isolation ability, the Portland Trail Blazers sent everything but the kitchen sink. Per NBA.com’s matchup tracking, the Blazers had six different players defend Morant on at least three shot attempts. To illustrate:

Who defended Morant, and how often?
— Carmelo Anthony — held Morant to 1-of-3 shooting
— Zach Collins — held Morant to 0-of-3 shooting
— Damian Lillard — held Morant to 0-of-3 shooting
— CJ McCollum — held Morant to 2-of-3 shooting
— Gary Trent Jr. — held Morant to 2-of-3 shooting (2-of-4 with Morant’s heave).
— Hassan Whiteside — held Morant to 0-of-3 shooting
— Jusuf Nurkic — held Morant to 1-of-2 shooting

In essence, we saw a football strategy in a basketball arrangement: send different, unpredictable looks at the opposing team’s best player, and keep him guessing. In total, the Blazers ran eight different players Morant’s way (including Hezonja). At full health, this Blazers team knew it would be one of the lengthiest, beefiest teams among the Association. The benefits of that were on full display during their win yesterday.

That stands as one of the major differences in this game and the one we witnessed on Feb. 12. CJ McCollum did an admirable job in holding Morant to 3-of-9 from the field. But sending different looks and coverages his way — such as the Blazers’ zone defense on occasion yesterday — provides a new wrinkle.

Here are a few examples of some of the size they would send Morant’s way, per NBA.com.

In the next go-round, the chess match between head coaches Taylor Jenkins and Terry Stotts will be of intrigue. Does Stotts have another ace up his sleeve, seeing as though the Grizzlies have now seen the pick-and-roll switches and zone defense looks in the first half.

To expect Morant to shoot 7-of-22 again wouldn’t be realistic. But if they can keep him at bay, Portland’s chances are a whole lot more likeable.