Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers 2015: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch Game 3 online

The Trail Blazers looked hapless in Memphis for their first two games against the Grizzlies. They've been severely outplayed on both ends and have trailed by 17 points in the fourth quarter of one game and 26 points in the other. The hope is that a return home to the Moda Center will be enough to motivate them to at least make the games competitive. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, don't want the series to return to Memphis. Finishing it quickly would allow their banged-up players time to rest and heal. Game 3 will be pivotal and will determine whether the shorthanded Blazers are done or if they could come back to make the matchup interesting.

Portland will get Arron Afflalo back after he missed the first two games with a shoulder injury. If he's healthy enough to provide the two-way presence he's known for, that should ease some of the pressure that seems to be affecting Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard. The star point guard has been ice cold from outside, going a combined 1-for-11 from beyond the arc against the Grizzlies. Batum, for his part, has not been able to step up to a bigger role amid all the absences. LaMarcus Aldridge has been carrying the team, averaging 28 points and 14 rebounds, but his efficiency has suffered with higher usage. The Blazers need to find more contributors soon or they might be facing a sweep.

The Grizzlies will not let up. If there's a team that is relentless when it senses weakness, it's Memphis. Courtney Lee rediscovering his outside shot and the bench making timely contributions have been enough to mask Zach Randolph's and Jeff Green's struggles while Marc Gasol and Mike Conley have kept the offense running. The Grizzlies have the edge on depth and defense and have a veteran group that is hungry to taste the ultimate playoff success. It wouldn't be surprising to see them come out of the gates in Game 3 looking for blood. It will be up to the Blazers to muster enough strength to hold them off and make this a series.