Portland Trail Blazers in the Playoffs, Eliminate Memphis in West Play-In, 126-122

Portland Trail Blazers have reached the NBA playoffs after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in game, 126-122.

In a highly entertaining match, Lillard and the boys managed to defeat the young Grizzlies who were excellent. Portland worked hard in order to earn this win and a clash with the Lakers, going through lots of ups and downs throughout these 48 minutes.

“We knew Memphis was going to be desperate but we were desperate too,” said Terry Stotts, Blazers’ coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytfmvaw-_Vc

The team from Oregon opened the game very well, creating a 16-point gap at 1:55 until the end of the first, 30-14, when Gary Trent scored a two-point jumper. However, the Grizzlies erased that early in the second, not allowing the Blazers to pull away, even though they had a lead. The result at the halftime was 58-53 for Portland, who couldn’t break the feisty rivals.

During the middle of the third, Memphis took over the lead. They scored 42 points in those 12 minutes, completely sweeping the Blazers’ defense, and entering the final sequence with a 94-89 lead.

Yet, Stotts’ team had more experience and was shooting much better in the crucial moments. They scored four three-pointers in the last 4:21 and that is what made the difference.

CJ McCollum hit two, plus adding one more two-point jumper during that period. The fatal blow for the Grizzlies was delivered by Carmelo Anthony, when he made one from downtown with 21 seconds to go.

One guy played extremely well for the Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic. The Bosnian Beast found out 90 minutes before the start of the match that his grandmother died, and he did everything in his power to honor her in the best possible way.

Nurk scored 22 points, had 21 boards, six assists and two rejections and steals each.

“It was amazing,” Lillard spoke about Nurkic’s performance.

“It was amazing”

Damian Lillard on Jusuf Nurkic’s performance today, while shouldering the burden of having just lost his grandma 💔@bosnianbeast27 | @Dame_Lillard pic.twitter.com/yTYTA52bXG

— AJ McCord (@AJ_McCord) August 15, 2020

Dame meanwhile, scored 31 points, had 10 assists in 24 minutes, hitting all of his 14 free throws. CJ McCollum had two points fewer, with 11 hits from the field in 19 attempts. Carmelo Anthony was 10-for-10 from the free-throw line with 21 points.

Ja Morant was the central figure among the Grizzlies with 35 points, 8 assists and four boards, but with 8 turnovers.

“We know we are right there. Just some games away. We just go back to work and get ready for next season,” he said.

Young point guard, who will most likely win the Rookie of the Year award, had massive help from Jonas Valanciunas who scored 22 points, had 17 boards and six dimes. Dillon Brooks delivered 20 buckets with four threes. Brandon Clarke had the same number of points, 8-for-11 from the floor with four threes and four boards.

Even though they didn’t advance to the playoffs, the boys from Memphis were one of the nicest surprises in the league.

As for Portland, they are about to clash with the Lakers in the first round of the Western playoffs. The LAL is the absolute favorite in this one, but it seems that the Blazers are capable of making some shocks, especially after seeing them play in recent days.

“We feel like we have a chance in a series against any team in this league, and that’s how we’re going to approach it,” said Lillard.

Lakers are 2-1 against Portland in the season series, and their first match is set for this Tuesday.