The Memphis Grizzlies have found their rhythm at the right time and take a seven-game winning streak into Portland to face the Trail Blazers in Tuesday’s best NBA game.
Saddled with expectations after a strong playoff run a year ago, the Grizzlies stumbled to a 2-3 start, then lost low-post monster Zach Randolph for eight weeks to a torn MCL.
But Memphis has not panicked and now leads the Southwest Division with a 10-6 mark. The Grizzlies are coming off a 91-90 win Monday at Golden State in which they had eight of their 14 takeaways and all 16 of their fast-break points in the final period, erasing an 18-point deficit.
The stellar play of Rudy Gay (22.1 ppg during streak) and Western Conference Player of the Week Marc Gasol (19.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg during a 4-0 week) have keyed the turnaround.
Portland leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge noted that Gay is returning the favor from last season, when he was injured and Randolph shouldered the load. “They’re a really good team playing really well right now,” he said.
The streak will be on the line against the Trail Blazers (10-7), who are 7-1 at home this season and playing the 
middle game of a back-to-back-to-back set that concludes Wednesday at Golden State.
Portland is a dramatically different team at home, where it averages 104.7 points and shoots 46 percent. On the road, the Blazers are at just 90.4 points and 41 percent.
The Blazers may be without center Marcus Camby, who is questionable with a groin injury suffered in Monday’s win vs. the Kings.
Plus Memphis Beat was a better tv show than Portlandia. Thanks for canceling it TNT.