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Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies: Game 2 Recap

By Nir Regev

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Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen (9) Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

34. Final. 97. 211. 82

Key Game Notes

– The Memphis Grizzlies shot a 42.7 FG% (38-89) to the Portland Trail Blazers 39 FG% (30-77). This Grizzlies squad therefore, had 12 more field goal attempts than Portland.

– When it comes to three-point shooting, the Grizzlies made 50% (8-16) to the Trail Blazers 30% (6-20). Despite the Trail Blazers shooting more threes, they were unable to use it effectively.

– The Grizzlies had 19 assists this game to the Trail Blazers’ 11. The bulk of the Trail Blazers’ assists came from the small forward position rather than the backcourt. Batum had 7 assists to Lillard’s 1.

– The Trail Blazers were in a turnover frenzy, losing the ball 13 times compared to the Grizzlies quiet 5 turnovers.

– The Trail Blazers out rebounded the Grizzlies by 1 (42-41) relying mostly on Aldridge. They fouled less 13 to the Grizzlies 19. The Blazers also had more blocked shots 8-7. Despite this, the marginal difference wasn’t enough to earn the Trail Blazers a victory.

– Most of the Trail Blazers offensive output was split between four players (Aldridge, Lillard, Batum, and McCollum). They collectively struggled from the field. Lillard shooting 5-16 (31.3 FG%), Aldridge shooting 7-20 (35 FG%), Batum with 5-15 (33.3 FG%), and McCollum with 3-13 (23.1 FG%).

– The Grizzlies offense was divided well, with 5 players scoring in double figures. The two high scorers (18 points a piece) Conley and Lee both shot over 50 FG% (54.5 FG% for Conley and 72.7 FG% for Lee respectively).

– Memphis’ bench scoring doubled the Trail Blazers’ bench efforts, 32 to 16.

– Beno Udrih returned to action after leaving with an ankle injury at Wednesday’s game and finished with 10 points on 4 of 9 (44.4 FG%) shooting.

– Chris Kaman was unavailable for Game 2 after a sprained ankle he suffered at the Trail Blazers’ practice on Tuesday.

– Arron Afflalo warmed up before Wednesday’s game but wasen’t feeling well enough to return. He is currently suffering from a shoulder injury and last played on April 9th against the Golden State Warriors.

Stat Leaders

Memphis Grizzlies:

Points: Mike Conley / Courtney Lee (Tied) – 18 Points
Rebounds: Zach Randolph – 10 Rebounds
Assists: Mike Conley – 6 Assists
Steals: Courtney Lee – 3 Steals
Blocks: Marc Gasol / Tony Allen (Tied) – 3 Blocks
FG%: Courtney Lee – 72.7 FG% (8 of 11 from the field)
FT%: Marc Gasol – 100 FT% (7 of 7 free throws)

Portland Trail Blazers:

Points: LaMarcus Aldridge – 24 Points
Rebounds: LaMarcus Aldridge – 14 Rebounds
Assists: Nicolas Batum – 7 Assists
Steals: LaMarcus Aldridge – 2 Steals
Blocks: LaMarcus Aldridge – 4 Blocks
FG%: Robin Lopez – 83.3 FG% (5 of 6 from the field)
FT%: LaMarcus Aldridge – 90 FT% (9 of 10 free throws)

Dejected Trail Blazers

Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Portland Trail Blazers 97 – 82 Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers appeared dejected and deflated during the last quarter of this game. Appearing to agonizingly wait for time to run out. The Memphis Grizzlies governed this game from the get-go. Their defensive will strongly striking at Portland’s motivational pursuits. Earlier trash talking by Batum before this game, certainly accomplished nothing positive for the Trail Blazers. Instead providing extra inspiration for the Grizzlies to crush the Trail Blazers’ Game 2 victory dreams.

Grizzlies Dominated Game 2

At one point, Zach Randolph took the ball old school. Posting up, essentially using his strength to get all the way to the basket, and scored the basket with ease. Vince Carter‘s three pointer in the last minutes of the fourth quarter capped off a terrific game by the Grizzlies. Mike Conley and Courtney Lee played with poise, scoring 18 points a piece on excellent shooting.

Tony Allen got the crowd and the bench involved diving after a ball. Grizzlies’ fans held up a sign “Secretary of Defense” applauding Allen’s efforts. Allen finished with 4 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, a steal and an assist. Marc Gasol was perfect from the line going 7-7. He did have a bit of tough night from the field going 4-15 (26.7 FG%), but he more than made up for it in classic fashion. Gasol finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. Quality all around offensive and defensive playmaking.

Grizzlies On Social Media

The Memphis Grizzlies were all over social media before and after Game 2.
Highlights from Twitter:

Memphis Grizzlies/Portland Trail Blazers Game 2: Post Game Conference

Watch Coach Dave Joerger’s post game conference for Game 2 of the Memphis Grizzlies/Portland Trail Blazers at NBA.com

Current Playoff Record:

2-0

Memphis Grizzlies Season Record:

55-27

That’s it for this Memphis Grizzlies Playoff Game 2 Recap! Check out more Memphis Grizzlies articles by me at this link. All the latest Memphis Grizzlies news available at the playoffs news hub. The countdown for Game 3 has begun!

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