Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers Game 5 preview

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The Grizzlies return home tonight to face off against the Portland Trail Blazers and hopefully close out this best of seven series.

No doubt being back in familiar territory will give the Grizzlies a boost as they once again take on the Blazers without Mike Conley. But expect this Portland team to be bringing some newfound confidence after their victory on Monday night, and to be playing with renewed desperation to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Backup point guard Nick Calathes had an opportunity to make his mark in the starting role in game 4, and he stepped up the challenge quite nicely, better than was expected. I think that his 4 out of 5 3 point shooting was most likely an anomaly, but it’s be great to get some outside shots from him again tonight.

I think the real key to the Grizzlies success tonight will be the effectiveness of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, and their ability to score in the paint. Both big men had plenty of good looks at shots on Monday night that just didn’t go down, especially in the first half. If the Grizzlies can get Zach and Marc going offensively, that should increase their number of trips to the free throw line as well.

The Blazers outscored the Grizzlies in the paint by four points in Game 4, and they also had 7 more free throw attempts, and 10 more rebounds.

Without the presence of starting point guard Mike Conley to keep him at bay, Portland all-star Damian Lillard was able to break out of the offensive slump he was in the first three games and went off Monday night for a game high and his series high 32 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge was once again more subdued than usual, although that has worked out to be the norm for this series. However both of the aforementioned Portland stars were able to combine for a perfect 13-13 from the free throw line.

Meyers Leonard and CJ McCollum were similarly able to combine for a perfect 5-5 from the 3 point line.

It would be of great benefit to the Grizzlies to finish off this Portland team tonight at home, and hopefully get a few days rest before the start of the conference semi-finals.

Because while the timetable for Mike Conley’s return is unknown, the hot shooting Golden State Warriors are most certainly waiting (and resting up) for the Grizzlies.

Tip Off:

When: 8:30pm, CST

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

TV/Radio Broadcast: TNT, Fox Sports Tennessee/92.9 FM ESPN

 

*All stats taken from NBA.com*

Aimee Stiegemeyer
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