Red-hot Damian Lillard outshines Ja Morant, Blazers snap Grizzlies' home winning streak

The Memphis Grizzlies were on the other side of what has been referred to as "Dame Time" in the NBA for many years.

Memphis led by as many as 12 points before, but it had no answer for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Ja Morant scored 32 points, but Lillard's 42 led the Blazers to a 122-112 win inside FedExForum.

The Grizzlies (32-19) had won eight straight home games. Portland (25-26) also got 26 points from Anfernee Simons.

Here are some takeaways from the game.

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Danny Green makes debut

Danny Green made his Grizzlies debut when he checked into the game in at the start of the second quarter. Green kept himself loose by riding the bike when he wasn't in the game. The 14-year veteran wasted little time getting involved. He took four 3-pointers in the second quarter and made his third attempt with 7:13 left in the frame.

With 7-foot Jusuf Nurkic starting for the Blazers, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins opted to start Xavier Tillman Sr. instead of Brandon Clarke. Tillman gave the Grizzlies more size in the frontcourt, and he quickly made an impact. Despite not taking a shot in the first quarter, Tillman was active. He had five rebounds and two steals.

Nurkic injured his left calf early in the first quarter and did not return. The Blazers also lost Jerami Grant in the first half and Josh Hart left in the third quarter before returning in the fourth.

Ja Morant flirts with a triple double

Morant moved across the floor and seemed to get to whatever spot he preferred. In the first quarter alone, Morant had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists. He went scoreless in the second quarter before scoring scoring 16 points in the third quarter.

According to ESPN Stats & Info, Morant was one rebound shy of joining Josh Giddey, Nikola Jokic and Magic Johnson as players under 24 years of age to get three straight double-doubles.

Guarding Damian Lillard

With Nurkic and Grant leaving the game early, Lillard, Hart and Anfernee Simons were the last three starters left. Lillard's aggressiveness increased after going scoreless for most of the first quarter. Dillon Brooks drew the initial defensive assignment, but Portland often ran screens for Lillard that caused other players to defend him.

Lillard made difficult 3-pointers, got to the rim with effectiveness and shot 15-for-16 from the free-throw line. His quickness was tough to contain.

What's next

The Grizzlies will travel to Cleveland for a game against the Cavaliers on Thursday night. Right before Memphis lost five consecutive games on a recent road trip, it took down the Cavaliers in a 115-114 win. Now that the Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell back, Thursday's game will be a tough one.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Damian Lillard outshines Ja Morant, snap Memphis Grizzlies' home streak