Grizzlies-Blazers game 3: Five things to know

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

The Memphis Grizzlies lead the best-of-7 series against the Portland Trail Blazers 2-0.  This is the first time in franchise history that the Grizzlies’ have held a 2-0 lead in a playoff series.

As the series shifts to the Rose City, there are some thing to know as the Grizzlies’ try to close out the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Five things to know

Arron Afflalo returns

Trail Blazers’ guard Arron Afflalo will return to the lineup for game three against the Grizzlies’ tonight. Afflalo was that one piece the Trail Blazers thought would put them over the top this season when he was acquired at the trade deadline.

A shoulder injury sidelined Afflalo for the final two weeks of the season, and he’s missed the first two games of this series.  He will be key for Portland as they try to increase their offensive output after only averaging 84 points per game.

Home-Court advantage

The Portland Trail Blazers sported a lofty 32-9 record at the Moda Center (Rose Garden) in 2015.  The good news is that Memphis was responsible for two of those losses.

Portland has some of the greatest fans in basketball, and the noise advantage is quite apparent.  I’ve been to several Trail Blazers’ games, and they have some great fans (not as good as Memphis of course).

Portland could find themselves right back in this series by taking advantage of playing the next two on their home court.  Houston saw that last year when they played the Blazers’ in the first round in 2014.

Damian Lillard will heat up

Portland Trail Blazers All-Star point guard Damian Lillard will return home to the Moda Center for the first time this playoff series. He’s shown he has some magic in him when playing on his home floor during the postseason.

It was in game six against the Houston Rockets last year where Lillard ran around a screen and hit the game-winning three point attempt that sent Portland to the second round for the first time since 2000. He’ll make sure Portland doesn’t go down without a fight.

Stay healthy

The Grizzlies’ have been healthy for the first two games of this series and that has shown how dominant they were before all of their injuries started mounting up.

Mike Conley who is battling a right foot sprain (God bless him), has averaged 17 points per game this series on 54.5 percent shooting. His health along with Tony Allen are key for Memphis if they want to move on to the Western Conference Semifinals.

Prediction

I have no doubt that Memphis will be able to win this series.  I don’t think that Memphis will be able to win both games in Portland. Expect the Trail Blazers’ to come out firing in game three, and potentially pull out a victory.

I have a feeling Memphis wants to win on their home court in game five next week. Zach Randolph will return to Portland, where he started his NBA career.