Damian Lillard led all scorers with 32 points while C.J. McCollum had 18 off the bench as the Trail Blazers beat the Grizzlies, 98-92, to extend the series and avoid the sweep. Marc Gasol had 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the losing effort. The series now goes back to Memphis for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers final score, NBA playoffs 2015: Portland comes back to win 99-92 and avoid the sweep
The Blazers came back late to avoid the sweep and extended the series.
Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
The Trail Blazers came out determined to prove that they were not going down without a fight. Damian Lillard took full advantage of Mike Conley's absence to get going early after struggling from the field throughout the series. Lillard knifed through the Grizzlies' perimeter defense for easy buckets inside and kicked the ball out for open three-pointers if help was sent. His play fueled Portland's aggression and kept Memphis at bay every time they threatened to make a run.
While the Blazers played with the desperation of a team that is trapped in a corner, the Grizzlies were as calmed as they typically are. As the big men struggled the guards took over. Nick Calathes, Courtney Lee and Beno Udrih combined for 28 of the team's 45 first half points and preventing the Blazers from riding the energy from the crowd and the unexpected contribution of Meyers Leonard to a large lead.
That initial adrenaline-fueled energy faded in the second half. The Grizzlies tightened up on defense, Lillard and Aldridge went cold and the role players didn’t step up. Little by little Memphis strung together stops and makes to turn a deficit into a lead. The Blazers tried to make runs but the Grizzlies always answered.
Yet Portland wouldn’t be denied. The Grizzlies bench struggled to score and couldn’t put the final nail in the coffin. LaMarcus Aldridge, in what could be his last game in the Moda Center got himself to the line, Lillard and McCollum hit a couple of huge three-pointers and the Blazers completed the comeback to stay alive, at least for one more game.
3 things we learned
The Grizzlies miss Mike Conley
Conley missed the game with a facial injury and could be out a while. Even though the back up point guards did very well in his stead, his absence is huge for Memphis, especially on the defense end. Conley is one of the better defenders at his position and with Damian Lillard in tow for at least one more game and Stephen Curry looming, it's hard to overstate how much they will miss him if he's not ready to go.
Conley is also a great floor general who can control the tempo and get everyone their touches. Udrih and Calathes, for all their strengths, can’t match his impact in either end. Injuries have already robbed us of a lot of talented players this year. Hopefully Conley can suit up for the next series.
Zach Randolph needs to play better
Randolph has struggled greatly from the floor against Aldridge’s length. He has always been ground bound but has used his strength and touch to make up for it. He wasn’t able to do that so far in round one. He wears out his defender, which helps the Grizzlies on defense but he needs to start making those contested close shots.
The Memphis offense doesn’t revolve around Randolph anymore but they need him to do better than the 12 points in 19 shots he got on Monday. If the Grizzlies want to close the series in five games, a better performance from Randolph would go a long way towards accomplishing that.
Extending the series could help Portland retain LaMarcus Aldridge
Aldridge had a good game, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds to help his team extend the series. The game had special meaning because he will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason and will have to figure out if the Trail Blazers are the team that gives them the best combination of financial security and a chance to win a tittle.
When healthy, the Blazers were very good. If C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard can continue to evolve and the front office retains Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews, they could be a contender next season. Of course every team with cap space will come calling and could make good pitches. Aldridge has said he wants to stay in Portland and every extra game is another opportunity for the Blazers to convince him to stay.
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