Tinsley, 31, was signed about two weeks ago when Iverson went AWOL from the Grizzlies before the team released him. Tinsley, who averaged 11.8 points and 8.4 assists for the Pacers during 2007-08, the last time he played a full season, has embraced his second chance because he knows exactly who he is.

"I'm a point guard. I know what they want," Tinsley said. "I have to just get guys into their spots and pick my spots to score."

In his last three games, Tinsley is averaging 11.6 points and 3.3 assists, and shooting 52.2 percent from the field. He had 16 points and five assists in 26 minutes in Friday night's victory at Portland.

He has gotten progressively better as he has worked himself back in shape. Down the stretch on Friday, Tinsley played all the minutes, producing a key assist and an 18-foot jumper when Portland closed the lead to single digits.

"I'm not where I want to be, but I'm working on it," Tinsley said.

"I've been out for a while, so it feels good to go out there and compete on a higher level like this. I've learned a lot about bringing my leadership on the court. I'm just trying to let them know that you don't have to hit every home run on a possession. The more possessions we get, the better chance we have to win the ballgames."

Tinsley's play has been a boost to a Grizzlies bench that hasn't been much of a factor early this season.

GRIZZLIES 106, TRAIL BLAZERS 96: The Grizzlies played their best half of the season, maybe of the last few seasons, when they led Portland 61-39 at halftime on Friday. In the second half, they got stagnant on offense and let Portland's 3-point shooters roam free. Portland cut the lead to single digits in the final three minutes, but the veteran leadership of backup point guard Jamaal Tinsley calmed the nerves of the Grizzlies. "We have a young team and we need to learn that when somebody makes a run on us we've got to hold our heads," Tinsley said.