PORTLAND — The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t win this game in the opening 12 minutes. They won it in the next 24.
After spotting the Memphis Grizzlies a 36-point first quarter, Portland responded with a 43-point second and a 38-point third, turning a shaky start into a runaway 135-115 victory on Feb. 7, 2026 at Moda Center. The win moved the Blazers (24-28) away from a rough WLLLL stretch with their most complete offensive surge in weeks, while Memphis (20-30) couldn’t sustain its early shot-making through Portland’s middle-quarters pressure.
The turning point: A 43-point second quarter
Memphis controlled the early rhythm, winning the first quarter 36-25. Portland’s response was immediate and emphatic: a 43-28 second quarter that swung the game before halftime. The Blazers turned the floor into a track meet, creating cleaner looks and forcing Memphis to defend longer possessions.
By the break, Portland had erased the deficit and established control — not with a single knockout punch, but with a steady stream of quality possessions that kept the scoreboard moving.
Third-quarter separation
If the second quarter changed the game, the third quarter ended it. Portland dropped 38 points in the period while holding Memphis to 23, stretching the margin into comfortable territory. Memphis’ offense, which had been humming early, stalled against Portland’s pace and execution, and the Grizzlies never found a counter run big enough to reset the pressure.
Ball movement tells the story
Portland’s edge showed up in the passing ledger: 31 assists on 135 points. Memphis finished with 28 assists, but the Grizzlies’ best stretch came early; Portland’s most efficient offense arrived after the first-quarter deficit, when the ball started popping side-to-side and the Blazers consistently generated advantages.
The result was a game that increasingly tilted toward Portland’s ability to create shots through flow rather than force — especially during the decisive second and third quarters.
What it means going forward
For Portland, this was a template win: weather an uneven start, then win the possession battle with pace, passing and sustained scoring across multiple quarters. At 24-28, the Blazers needed a stabilizing performance after a WLLLL run — and they got it in the form of two dominant quarters that turned a competitive game into a comfortable finish.
For Memphis, the loss underscored the volatility of its current form (LWWLL). The Grizzlies proved they can score in bunches — 36 in the first quarter — but couldn’t match Portland’s execution once the Blazers raised the tempo and tightened the screws in the middle of the game.
By the numbers
Final: Portland 135, Memphis 115
Quarter scores: MEM 36-28-23-28 (115), POR 25-43-38-29 (135)
Assists: Portland 31, Memphis 28