Wednesday's game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers began with the two starting centers from last year's NCAA championship game battling for the opening tip.
As the game progressed, one of those players was gradually phased out of the game.
Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey matched up against Blazers big man Donovan Clingan to start the game, but the battle didn't last long. Edey was replaced in the starting group to begin the third quarter.
He was one of several Grizzlies players who struggled in the 115-99 loss at the Moda Center.
Memphis was dominated on the glass and struggled to prevent clean looks on Portland 3-pointers.
Edey didn't make much of an impact as a scorer, rebounder or rim protector. The Grizzlies will need Edey at his best when they take on Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac on Friday (9:30 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
Here is how Edey fared on Wednesday night against the Blazers.
Zach Edey 's stats vs Blazers
Minutes: 10:57
Points: 6
FG: 2-for-4
3PT: 0-for-0
FT: 2-for-2
Rebounds: 3
Assists: 2
Steals: 0
Blocks: 0
Turnovers: 2
Fouls: 5
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Zach Edey points tonight: Memphis Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers matchup

