2015 NBA playoffs preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers (51-31) vs. No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies (55-27)
- Game 1 in Memphis: Grizzlies 100, Trail Blazers 86
- Game 2 in Memphis: Grizzlies 97, Trail Blazers 82
- Game 3 in Portland: Grizzlies 115, Trail Blazers 109
- Game 4 in Portland: Trail Blazers 99, Grizzlies 92
- Game 5 in Memphis: Grizzlies 99, Trail Blazers 93
Season series: Grizzlies 4-0
Points per game (per 100 possessions): Blazers 102.8, Grizzlies 98.3 (Blazers 108.2, Grizzlies 105.7).
Points allowed per game (per 100 possessions): Blazers 98.6, Grizzlies 95.1 (Blazers 103.7, Grizzlies 102.2).
Matchups worth watching: Blazers C Robin Lopez vs. Grizzlies C Marc Gasol, Blazers PF LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Grizzlies PF Zach Randolph
Scoring leaders: Blazers PF LaMarcus Aldridge (23.4 points per game), Grizzlies C Marc Gasol (17.4 points per game).
Why Portland will win: Damian Lillard is on their side, and the man who mostly guarded him in the teams' four meetings this season, Mike Conley, has no timetable for a return. Robin Lopez may be crafty enough to limit Marc Gasol.
Why Memphis will win: The Grizzlies are a lockdown defensive team, and many of the wings who helped Portland bust defenses earlier in the season are lost because of injury, or currently battling maladies. LaMarcus Aldridge is playing through a thumb injury that will require surgery at season's end. Beno Udrih is better than people think.
Did you know? The Grizzlies have now won 40 or more games in six straight seasons.
Prediction: Grizzlies in 7.