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NBA Playoffs: Determining Conference Semifinals Winners Based Off Memphis Grizzlies’ Season Success

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Bruno Caboclo #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots contested shot in the paint against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Bruno Caboclo #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots contested shot in the paint against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Playoffs
Memphis Grizzlies NBA Playoffs (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

No. 3 Portland Trail Blazers Versus No. 2 Denver Nuggets

The Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets are two teams that are young and athletic. However, the Blazers are accustomed to this setting while the majority of the Nuggets’ roster is raw when it comes to postseason action.

During the 2018-19 regular season, the Memphis Grizzlies had some triumphs versus both the Blazers and the Nuggets. These are two opponents that the Grizzlies played closely for the most part through seven total meetings.

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Against Portland, Memphis split the season series 2-2. Twice the Grizzlies won by nine points, with one loss being by seven points and the final meeting being decided in blowout fashion in favor of the Blazers. When the Portland Trail Blazers arrive on the schedule, the Memphis Grizzlies understand it will be a dog fight between their defense an Portland’s high-powered scoring backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Yet, do not sleep on the Denver Nuggets, even though they will not be as well-rested as the Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies were lucky in playing the Nuggets just three total times rather than the standard of four in the regular season. Memphis’ managed to win just once in a home setting, thus losing the season series 1-2 to Denver.

Though the Nuggets have a lot of young and promising talent on their roster, they may have the right amount of veteran experience and leadership to push them past the Trail Blazers. Their Game 7 victory over the San Antonio Spurs proved that they have the desire to stick around awhile this postseason.

If you are asking the Memphis Grizzlies to predict a winner in this particular series, they would have to go with the Denver Nuggets, though this series has the potential to go the full seven games. Denver has the higher winning percentage versus Memphis this season, but it is due to playing one less game than normal.

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