The Portland Trail Blazers came into this game knowing that it was do or die. Down 2-0 in the series coming into the Moda Center, the Memphis Grizzlies were looking to put the injured Blazers to sleep. The Trail Blazers just haven’t been able to handle the tandem of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, and the injuries for the Blazers haven’t helped them out. Arron Afflalo came back after missing 5 games with a shoulder injury.
In the first half, the Blazers couldn’t make a shot and they struggled to keep the Grizzlies from controlling the game. The entire series has been dominated by the slow pace of the Grizzlies and the first half was no different. At the end of the half the Grizzlies led 58-49 and the second half wasn’t any better.
A bright sign for the Blazers was C.J McCollum’s contributions. In the 3rd quarter, the game was still the same way, with the Grizzlies dominating, but the Blazers staying within striking defense. The Blazers came storming in the 4th quarter, and cut the lead to 3 points, but the Grizzlies continued their poise and rebuild momentum to win the game.
The Portland Trailblazers ended up losing the game. The Grizzlies now take the 3-0 lead, which is the NBA curse of the Playoffs. No team has ever came back from 3-0, and the Portland Trail Blazers probably won’t be coming back from this. Mike Conley left the game in the 3rd quarter and was later reported that he was taken to the hospital with a head injury. Batum finished with 27 points, Aldridge had 21 points, and Lillard had 22. Memphis had 5 payers in double figures with Gasol ending with 25 points.
