By Chris Helgeson

It doesn’t take much to figure out why country music tends to take on a depressing tone.

Just look at the Memphis Grizzlies.

In the heart of Graceland and country music, the Memphis Grizzlies have spent the entire year battling with the Boston Celtics for the NBA’s worst record and a chance at drafting one of the five star prospects expected to enter the league this summer.

Even their Superstar, Pau Gasol, was expected to jump ship before this year’s trading deadline.

Gasol, however, was not traded after all and he will finish out the remainder of the season as a member of the Grizzlies.

Memphis is a team that is easily overlooked by most of the NBA, but when Gasol is healthy, they are an extremely competitive team. Former Rookie of the Year Mike Miller scored 45 points in their most recent effort against the Golden State Warriors and point guard Damon Stoudamire continues to find open teammates, like he did in Portland just a few years ago.

Even with all their talent, Memphis shouldn’t be able to touch the scorching hot Trail Blazers.

Portland has already knocked off two playoff caliber teams and can extend their post All-Star break winning streak to three games with a victory in the Rose Garden.

In their previous meeting, it took Portland two overtimes and 42 points from power forward Zach Randolph to finally secure a victory. Ime Udoka also had a stellar performance in Memphis, turning in 21 points, while also grabbing 7 rebounds.

The third match-up should feature some new faces, but not the ones that experts might have predicted. Pau Gasol was a highly sought after talent prior to this year’s trading deadline, but it was the Trail Blazers who were one of the few teams that were able to pull the trigger on a deadline deal.

Portland sent reserve shooting guard Juan Dixon to the Raptors for shooting guard and Oregon native Fred Jones. It is doubtful that Fred Jones will be introduced into Friday’s game, but the University of Oregon alum should see action in the near future.

The Trail Blazers can make it three for three against the Grizzlies this year with a win on Friday, but no one is more important than the Sixth Man! If you can’t make it to the Rose Garden, catch all the action on NBA League Pass or via radio on 750am KXL.