Memphis Grizzlies-Portland Trail Blazers: Game 3 Full Recap

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

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 115-109 on Saturday to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Grizzlies dominated the Trail Blazers for pretty much the entire game, taking a 62-49 lead into the half while not really experiencing too much discomfort the rest of the way. The biggest scare the Grizzlies got was Mike Conley sustaining a hit to the face from C.J. McCollum‘s elbow in the 3rd quarter, causing Conley to miss the remainder of the game. Conley’s injury didn’t put the game into question, but for the time being, it does put the Grizzlies’ playoff run in some kind of jeopardy.

Thankfully, the Grizzlies are up 3-0 and can rest Conley in Game 4 if they have to without really risking anything. The Grizzlies are going to win this series and so now they need to focus on getting Conley ready for Game 1 in Oracle Arena against the Golden State Warriors in the next round. While it is true that the Grizzlies still have to close out the Trail Blazers, there really is no reason to believe that this series will go beyond 5 games. Still, while this game was never much of a contest and the series itself is essentially over, I will still provide you with some key facts, notes, and details from Game 3 to give you a better sense of how dominating of a win this was for the Grizzlies.

                                                            KEY FACTS 

• The Memphis Grizzlies won this game at the foul line: The Memphis Grizzlies got to the foul line 43 times and made 39 of their foul shots, shooting 91% from the foul line. As for the Trail Blazers, they got to the foul line 31 times and made 26 of their foul shots, shooting 84% from the foul line. The Grizzlies made 13 more foul shots than the Trail Blazers and only won by 6 points. If it weren’t for their ability to get to the line, the Grizzlies would not have won this game.
• The Trail Blazers took a ton of three-point shots: The Trail Blazers took 27 three-point shots in this game and made 11 of them, shooting 41% from three-point range. The Grizzlies did a good job forcing the Trail Blazers to take tougher shots, limiting the number of shots they took inside the arc.
• Both teams shot 36/77 from the field: Yeah, this is pretty weird, but it’s true. The Grizzlies and Trail Blazers attempted the same number of field goals and made the same number of field goals. The Trail Blazers made more threes, but in the end it was the free throws that won the game for the Grizzlies.
• The Trail Blazers wore red: I don’t know if they were hoping for a bit of luck or something, but the Trail Blazers donned their red alternate uniforms. They looked kinda cool, but it didn’t get them the win.

                                                PLAYER NEWS

• Mike Conley went down: I already mentioned Mike Conley’s injury, but just to reiterate, if there is anything Grizzlies fans should be focused on after this game, it’s the health status of Mike Conley. The Grizzlies absolutely need him healthy going into the series against the Warriors.
• Arron Afflalo played for the Trail Blazers: After being out for the first two games with a shoulder injury, Trail Blazers shooting guard Arron Afflalo was able to go. Unfortunately for Portland, Afflalo was rather ineffective, scoring just five points on 2/5 shooting from the field. He never was able to get into a rhythm.
• Chris Kaman also played for the Trail Blazers: Another guy who the Trail Blazers were hoping to get back was Chris Kaman, their reserve center. Kaman was also ineffective, scoring just 2 points.
• C.J. McCollum was a surprise for the Trail Blazers: The only guy who really made Portland fans smile tonight was C.J. McCollum. He had 26 points off the bench in 27 minutes of action.
• Nick Calathes stepped up the Grizzlies: With Beno Udrih unable to play in this game and Mike Conley leaving early, Nick Calathes was huge at the point guard position. Calathes ended up playing 27 minutes, scoring 13 points and dishing out 3 assists.
• Courtney Lee was strokin’ it for the Grizzlies: Courtney Lee scored 20 points, and while he was only 1/2 from three-point range, he was strokin’ it from the foul line and from the field. He shot 5/8 from the field and 9/9 from the foul line.
• Marc Gasol led the way for the Grizzlies: Marc Gasol delivered the goods in this game. He had 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also shot 13/14 from the foul line.
• Lillard and Aldridge were average for the Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard had 22 points and dished out 9 assists. As for LaMarcus Aldridge, he had 21 points and 7 rebounds. Both guys played well, but neither guy had the superhuman performance that their team needed them to have.

                                              POST-GAME REACTIONS 

                                                 LOOKING AHEAD

The Grizzlies are now 3-0 in the playoffs and will look to complete the sweep of the Trail Blazers on Monday night. Look for our preview of Game 4 to come either on Sunday or early on Monday. Thanks for supporting Beale Street Bears!!! Go Grizzlies!!!