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‘Beale Street Bears’ Predicts Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Portland

By Christian Dudley

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Feb 22, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) looks to dribble the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Chris Kaman (35) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The writers at Beale Street Bears have gotten together and made their personal predictions for the Memphis Grizzlies’ first round matchup of the 2015 NBA Playoffs versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

The writers from Beale Street Bears have made some predictions for the first round series of Memphis Grizzlies versus the Portland Trail Blazers.

How will our beloved Grizz fare? Let us examine.

Ben Parker, Staff Writer

“If Mike Conley and Tony Allen are able to compete and the rest of the guys stay healthy, there is no reason to not pick the Grizzlies to win this series against the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies have home court and the Trail Blazers have injury problems of their own.

The absence of Wesley Matthews and Arron Afflalo is huge for the Trail Blazers because those guys bring a much-needed threat from beyond the arc. With those guys injured, the Grizzlies should have no problem keeping the Trail Blazers quiet on the perimeter as well as dominating inside. I expect the Grizzlies to win this series in 6 games.”

Ken Newhouse, Editor

“If there’s one team I know a lot about besides the Grizzlies, it’s the Portland Trail Blazers. My father lived in Portland for three years, and I’ve been a fan of the team for the past couple of years. Surprisingly, a Trail Blazers game was the first NBA game I ever attended.

Mar 21, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) goes to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard (11) during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Portland Trail Blazers 97-86 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

This series will be fun for me. I have Blazers’ fans and Grizzlies’ fans in my family. I can finally sit back and enjoy a series and not yell at the T.V. for one of my teams playing poorly. But, I’m rooting for the Grizz in this series.

I expect Memphis to come out and play hard. This is a favorable matchup for them. Sweeping the season series from Portland really doesn’t matter, because a lot of the games were close. Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge will be ready for PDX.

I’m going to say the Grizzlies win this series in 5 games. The Trail Blazers’ are injured, and have lost four consecutive games. Losing Wes Matthews was devastating for Portland. He was their version of Tony Allen, minus the first team defense. I was actually in attendance at the game they lost him to the torn Achilles.

Feb 22, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) drives into the chest of Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez (42) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

If Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph can defend the L-Train as Portland fans call him, they can limit the scoring from the Blazers. Damian Lillard will be his electric playoff self once again, and could be the factor come a tight game in the fourth quarter.

I’m not saying Grizzlies’ fans should take Portland lightly, because they are still talented. The matchup is favorable, and if the Trail Blazers’ injuries stay consistent, Memphis should be able to win in 5 or 6 games.”

Xan Nikchevich, Staff Writer

“There is one thing that this series will come down to, and that’s health. If the Grizzlies can stay healthy, then they should have the upper hand. It looks like both Mike Conley and Tony Allen are good to go, so as of now, all Grizzlies players should be suiting up. With health intact, the Grizz should be able to take this one in six games at the most.”

Christian Dudley, Editor

“Both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers are battling injuries, but the Grizzlies should be seeing the returns of both Mike Conley and Tony Allen. Assuming both are available beginning in Game 1 tomorrow (Sunday), this first round series looks rather gloomy for the Blazers. Yes, Lillard and Aldridge and one of the top duos in the NBA, but they also have depth issues, even before you take into account all of Portland’s injuries. Something the Memphis Grizzlies exceeds most other opponents in is their bench depth and this should lead them past the Trail Blazers in no more than five games. If Conley and/or Allen misses additional time, I could see this series going to six games, but regardless, I believe the grit-‘n’-grind of Memphis to prevail.

Look for Z-Bo and Big Spain to have huge games against the Blazers. Aldridge will need to switch off of Randolph on defense, yet Marc Gasol will still work LaMarcus over, too. Robin Lopez will be used by Portland mainly for rebounds and defense, but the Memphis’ frontcourt is far too skilled and experienced to be stopped.”

Mar 21, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) reacts during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Portland Trail Blazers 97-86 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Nir Regev, Staff Writer

“Zach Randolph’s former team is a formidable foe. The Portland Trail Blazers vanquished the Houston Rockets last year with a deadly three-pointer via Damian Lillard. They espouse traits not unlike the Grizzlies’ Grit and Grind. Portland, however, is also dealing with a plethora of injuries with LaMarcus Aldridge delaying surgery, Wesley Matthews out for the season and Nicolas Batum/Arron Afflalo likely toughing it out. On the Grizzlies’ front, Mike Conley and Tony Allen practiced Friday and it’s a good bet they will return. If Conley returns, the Grizzlies’ frontline will be free to roam the post. Spacing on the floor will be a formality. As Conley, Green, Carter and Lee will go up on the scoreboard in fierce fashion, while defended tenaciously on the other end by Allen. A scenario concluding with the Grizzlies winning the series in 6 games.”

Go Grizz!

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