Cameron Boozer recorded the first triple-double of his NBA career with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 124-103 on Thursday night at Moda Center to improve to 5-0.
Memphis had seven other players score in double figures, including three reserves, as it pulled away in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Stewart led the bench with 18 points, while Cedric Coward added 17 and Zach Edey contributed 13.
Deni Avdija paced Portland with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Ja Morant finished with 14 points and three assists in 23 minutes in his first game against his former team, but left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The teams were tied at 25 after the opening quarter and went into halftime level at 58-58. Portland remained competitive through much of the third period before Memphis produced a decisive 10-0 run, turning a two-point advantage into an 87-75 lead with 2:09 remaining in the quarter.
Edey extended the margin to 11 with a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter, forcing a Portland timeout. Morant briefly cut the deficit to nine, but Memphis responded with consecutive baskets from Ty Jerome to move ahead 101-89.
Jerome finished with 10 points, three assists and two steals, although he struggled with his shooting, making just three of 12 attempts. The Grizzlies continued to build their advantage as both teams turned to their reserves, outscoring Portland 33-20 in the final period.
Stewart was particularly productive in limited minutes, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and making two three-pointers in 16 minutes. GG Jackson added 12 points, while Quinten Post scored 10 and Cam Spencer contributed eight points and eight assists.
Portland struggled from long range, making just 12 of 49 three-point attempts (24.5%). Damian Lillard had a difficult shooting night, finishing with nine points on 3-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-9 from beyond the arc, one game after hitting the game-winning three-pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The loss dropped Portland to 3-1, while Memphis remained unbeaten at 5-0. The Trail Blazers visit Utah on Saturday, and the Grizzlies travel to Sacramento the same night.
