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Memphis Grizzlies @ Portland Trail Blazers Game 4 Preview

By Nir Regev

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

Mike Conley’s Injury

According to TNT’s Lewis Johnson, Mike Conley will undergo surgery today to repair multiple fractures in his facial bones. The injury was sustained during Saturday’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers. Conley was caught by an elbow from C.J McCollum when both went for a loose ball in the open floor. Mike Conley will understandably miss tonight’s game and currently out indefinitely. Conley is in good spirits however, and praised his teammates and fans on Twitter. We here at Beale Street Bears wish Conley a speedy recovery.

Zach Randolph Nostalgic

“It’s real special. I mean, this is where I started at, so it’s a lot of memories and a lot of good times around here. A lot of fond memories.” In his last year with the Portland Trail Blazers, Randolph averaged a career high 23.6 points per game, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

Zach Randolph is averaging 14 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2 assists per game throughout the first three playoff contests against the Trail Blazers in the 2015 NBA playoffs. He shot 50 FG% in Game 3 with 16 points (6 of 12 shooting). Randolph also grabbed double digit rebounds in Game 1 (11 boards) and Game 2 (10 boards).

He’s been effective on defense, guarding former teammate LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is averaging a 35.5 FG% against Randolph, despite being a 46.6 FG% shooter during the regular season. His strong free throw shooting, however, has remained consistent with 22 out of 25 scored in the last three. Aldridge shoots a 84.5 FT% during the regular season and typically averages 5.1 attempts at the line. He’s shot 10 free throws a piece in the last two. Aldridge is also averaging 3.3 blocks a game this series, much higher than his 1.0 block a game average in the regular season.

The Trail Blazers have an answer at the free throw line with Marc Gasol going 21 of 24 the last three. Gasol scored 25 points last game with 13 of 14 at the line (92.9 FT%) and 15 points in Game 2 with a perfect 7 of 7 at the stripe (100 FT%). He’s averaging 8.3 rebounds and 3 blocks a game through the first three contests.

The Guard Situation

Damian Lillard had a strong Game 3, scoring 22 points on 9 of 17 shooting (52.9 FG%) and dishing 9 assists. Lillard is averaging 36 FG% for the series overall, with 23.8 FG% in Game 1 and 31.3 FG% in Game 2 but turned his fortune around last game. This was Lillard’s highest assist game of the series as well. Lillard averaged 25.5 points and 46.4 FG% against the Houston Rockets in last year’s playoffs. In comparison he’s averaging 18 points per game against the Memphis Grizzlies through three games.

Beno Udrih practiced with the Grizzlies on Sunday and said he will play in tonight’s game. Udrih previously sprained his right ankle in Game 2 and was unable to play on Saturday. Udrih had an excellent showing in Game 1 with 20 points on 9 of 14 shooting (64.3 FG%), 7 boards and 7 assists. He started off Game 2 well early with 10 points on 4 of 9 shooting (44.4 FG%) in 18:44 minutes of play.

Nick Calathes played extended minutes in Game 3 and delivered with 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting (44.4 FG%), 4 boards and 3 assists. Calathes also dished fans a highlight, passing to teammate Kosta Koufos for the dunk. He’ll likely see the bulk of the minutes at the point guard position today with Udrih still recovering from the sprained right ankle.

Current Playoff Record:

3-0

Memphis Grizzlies Season Record:

55-27

That’s it for this Memphis Grizzlies Playoff Preview! 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 4 has begun!

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