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5 Keys to Game 4 of Memphis Grizzlies v. Trail Blazers

By Christian Dudley

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Apr 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) plays it up to the Portland Trail Blazers

The Memphis Grizzlies will be looking to sweep the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round and on the season in tonight’s Game 4 of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Looking to get more in touch with the key factors in the Memphis Grizzlies’ pursuit of a series and season sweep (4-0 and 8-0, respectively) of the Portland Trail Blazers? Beale Street Bears has you covered! Game 4 is tonight in Portland, Oregon and even though the Grizzlies will be without their starting point guard, Mike Conley, they have great odds of earning their first ever series sweep in club history.

Let us examine five areas to watch in Game 4.

1. Grizzlies’ reserves to step up

With Conley out of tonight’s matchup, 25-30 additional minutes of floor time are now open for Beno Udrih, Nick Calathes, and even rookie Russ Smith. Udrih says that he “expects to play” in Game 4 after dealing with a recent ankle injury that led him to missing Game 3 completely. Nick Calathes provided some key playmaking and a clutch three-point shot in Saturday’s contest.

One exciting bit of news for Grizzlies’ fans is that Head Coach Dave Joerger expects to insert rookie Russ Smith into the lineup at some point tonight. It could get no better in Grizz Nation if Smith surprises fans and torches the Blazers’ defense with a few big shots. It is unsure at this time how many minutes Smith may receive, but that most likely depends on how the flow of the game progresses quarter-by-quarter.

2. Put the ball in someone else’s hands

The Portland Trail Blazers have two main guys–Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Lillard finally produced somewhat decently (9/17 shooting) for the Blazers in Game 3 after having terrible performances in Game 1 and Game 2 of this series. Dame is one of the league’s more clutch players, so even if he is in a shooting slump, the Memphis Grizzlies need to stick to him like gnats. Now is no time for Lillard to catch fire. Memphis’ frontcourt needs to contain Aldridge as much as they can, although it is inevitable that he will score at least 20 points tonight. Aldridge went 1/10 from the field in Game 3, but still wound up with 21 points. L-Train will find a way.

Apr 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

One Aldridge and Lillard are squared away, the Blazers do not have much depth, especially with Wesley Matthews and Dorell Wright being sidelined for the team in red and black. Nicolas Batum went 6/12 from behind the three-point line in Game 3 and nearly led his team to a completion of a comeback. Also, C.J. McCollum scored a series-high 26 points for Portland in Game 3. While it is unlikely that Batum shoots 50% or greater from deep and/or McCollum lights up the scoreboard as he did on Saturday, if Memphis can lock down on one or both of these guys, the Blazers have no chance of winning a single game in this series.

Arron Afflalo battled major trouble in his return to action in Game 3, so Tony Allen and Jeff Green will need to keep an eye on AA to make sure he does not bring a spark to Portland that they did not receive on Saturday.

3. Battle on the boards

Despite the Memphis Grizzlies owning perhaps the NBA’s top starting frontcourt, the Trail Blazers outrebounded Memphis in both of the first two games. Portland was without backup center Chris Kaman in Game 2 and they still dominated the Grizzlies on the boards. In Game 3, there was a major change–Memphis controlled the rebounding category 32-30 and they only allowed five offensive rebounds for the Blazers.

The Grizzlies cannot give second chances to Portland; otherwise their energy and momentum will build. Memphis really needs to complete the series–and season–sweep tonight on Portland’s floor. It all begins with cleaning the glass.

4. Offensive production

Apr 25, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) defends Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis is known as a team that places defense first and offense second. It is a rarity in today’s NBA world of run-and-gun basketball; however, the Memphis Grizzlies have been finding instant offense in this first round series against Portland. Memphis is averaging 104 points per game through the first three games of the series, including a 115-point outburst on the road in Game 3. Incredible! They are holding the Trail Blazers to just 92.33 points per game. If Memphis continues to bring the scoring that matches their defensive efforts, they should have no trouble in notching a victory tonight. With Conley out, look for the Grizz to go to Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol for the bulk of the scoring load.

5. Silence the home crowd

One of the major components of the Memphis Grizzlies’ success in Saturday’s Game 3 was taking the home crowd’s energy away early in the game. Portland is already down three games to none in the series, so the team should be battered emotionally, which will be hard for them to generate a stir out of their home audience. Still, the Grizzlies need to grit and grind as usual and not let off the accelerator so they can achieve the series sweep. This team could definitely use any and all additional rest they can find–plus, all of Grizz Nation wants to witness the franchise’s first postseason series sweep!

The game can be viewed locally on SportSouth television or for the national telecast, tune in to TNT. The tip is scheduled for 9:30 P.M. Central.

Check with Beale Street Bears before, during, and after Game 4 for all the latest news, highlights, and information surrounding your Memphis Grizzlies.

Go Grizz!

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