It was reported by Woj from ESPN today that Grizzlies’ Forward, Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee and will be out the remainder of the season. This is a huge blow for the 8 seeded Grizzlies who are just 2 games up on the Trailblazers, in which the Blazers are expected to take full advantage of.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is an up and coming young forward/center that has really proven his worth and developed as a solid second option on a team next to Ja Morant this season. Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.4 points in only 28 minutes per game, almost tying Ja at 17.7 ppg. His tenacity on the defensive end is also notable, leading the team in blocks. He has become an elite shooter beyond the arc and great in transition. Jaren fits in perfectly with the fast paced Grizzlies offense. He can get to his spots quickly and fire at will early in the shot clock before defenders get set; a skill the Grizzlies will surely miss. Even if he doesn’t knock down the shot, his ability opens up the floor for the rest of his teammates to get open looks. After coming off another knee injury missing 9 games right before the suspension, he was a key contributor with a total of 76 points in all 3 of the Grizzlies’ bubble games, albeit losing all 3.

Although I wish JJJ a fast recovery, his absence will give the western conference teams looking to get into the playoffs, an advantage. Even before Jackson’s injury, I believe the Trailblazers had the highest chances at getting into the play-in tournament to face the Grizz, despite countless notable figures labeling the Pelicans or Grizzlies as the team to advance. Blazers are now healthy and hungry. The Blazers might actually be the ones to have the advantage in the play-in tournament instead.

In order for a team like Portland to get that 8th spot, they would only have to get within 4 games of the 8th seed. At the end of the 8 regular season games, the 9th seed would then have to beat the 8th seed TWICE, in order to get the 8th spot. The Grizzlies have 5 games left on a hard schedule, with the last one being Milwaukee. Their weaknesses have been apparent in their losses even with JJJ. The Grizzlies have been pretty close every game so far, but just unable to close it out. Their shots haven’t been falling and they have been unable to get to the rim. I do think they will start to clean those things up, especially Ja. However, I just see the Blazers having the edge here.

The Pelicans getting that 8 seed? I don’t see them being able to make up those games, based purely on horrific coaching from Alvin Gentry. I understand that it might be more so the medical staff’s restrictions on playing Zion more minutes. However, why not save those minutes for the end of the game? If the Pels put Zion in at the end to close out the game against the Jazz, they could have won it. It just seems to me that the Pelicans don’t want to be in the playoffs. They do have an easy schedule but the lack of Zion minutes will really hurt them, despite Brandon Ingram playing like the Most Improved Player that he is. Even if Zion does end up playing max minutes in later games, I don’t think they will be able to make up those games. I think the Pelicans hype was largely based on everyone WANTING to see them in the first round.

No one mentions the other teams that are creeping up also. The Suns haven’t lost a game and the Spurs are playing out of their mind right now. Both teams are dealing with injuries so this is surprising, but I foresee them coming back down to earth eventually.

Before their bubble struggles, the Grizzlies were perceived as the front runner. In that mix, they seem to have forgotten the Trailblazers, led by the heart of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Blazers do have a tough schedule coming up; the only easy match-up coming at the end of the stint, the Nets. After losing a heartbreakingly close game to the Celtics the other night after coming back from down 24, they play the Rockets tonight. They are 2-1 on the Rockets, however they have not played the Rockets after the trade in which Rockets acquired Robert Covington and traded away Clint Capela, going small. Despite this fact, I believe having Jusif Nurkic and Zach Collins back on the floor will help. With a team like Houston, their size will be important in giving the Blazers second chance points with their rebounding ability. They also have the option of matching them, and going small. Turnovers and perimeter defense have been crucial, especially in late minutes of the game. If they can clean that up, they will be alright. Damian Lillard has had some shooting woes but I don’t anticipate that will be a problem for long. Even when Dame isn’t scoring, he is always making plays for his teammates, especially given that he can now feed the ball to his bigs in the post. Some of the struggles are the result of being off for so long. Just as other teams are struggling, I believe it will balance out. If/when the Grizzlies and Blazers go at it again (which I assume the play-in tournament will include), Blazers will need to limit Ja’s drives to the rim. Now they have size and we saw that as an advantage in the first game of the return.

Having two guards like CJ and Dame is so important. When one is struggling, the other can step up. They are one of the best backcourts in the entire NBA. CJ shot the lights out against the Celtics, shooting 50% from 3 and a 66% fg and finished with 33 points. Dame still found a way to put up 30 points along with Nurk against the Celtics, despite struggling from 3.

Missing Trevor Ariza, they will likely play Melo back at the 4 and experiment with a number of lineups. Don’t under estimate what he can do either. Although they will miss Ariza’s defense, as he was a solid 3 and D guy, Melo can still hit his shots when they need him too in clutch situations.

Despite what one might think on the outside, the Blazers have some nice pieces off the bench. Gary Trent Jr. is one of them. With all the injuries, their younger guys got a lot of minutes than they would have otherwise. In turn players like Nassir Little, Anfernee Simons, and Trent, were able to improve faster, given the experience. Trent has been fantastic in the bubble and has really turned up his game. He is a solid wing that is shooting 41% from 3 on the season. He had 21 points against the C’s and was a huge factor in that game. All his success will only help his confidence grow further, something that a lot of younger players seem to lack. He does not shy away, and I think that largely has to do with the type of leader Dame is.

Jusuf Nurkic has really looked like his old self in his first few games back. The added rim protection that the Blazers lacked this season is now back. His first game back, he logged 6 blocks. Nurk and Dame in the pick and roll are unstoppable, especially against smaller teams.

We also can’t forget another piece that is coming back from injury. Zach Collins is a big that can stretch the floor for them. His outside shooting along with his ability at the rim will only further assist this team on their quest to dethrone the Grizzlies from the 8th spot.

The Blazers just have so many pieces who can go off an any given night. The league needs to watch out because here comes the heart and determination of the Blazers. Ultimately, it’s right in the Blazers lap. They just have to reach out and take it, and I would argue that Dame wouldn’t miss that opportunity for the world. Be prepared to see the Blazers face the Grizzlies with the advantage. It will be Dame time soon. I don’t think having too much faith in this team is a bad thing. They’ve exceeded our expectations before. 8 seed here they come.