Western Conference Quarterfinals: Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trailblazers- Game 3 pregame analysis
Game 3
After two strong wins at home, the Grizzlies are in enemy territory for the next two games. Tonight for Game 3, we can expect this Portland team to try and regain some ground on their home court. While this Memphis team has had success in the Moda Center this season, it would not be wise to take that for granted tonight.
Before this series got started, I made some predictions regarding matchups between our starting lineup and the Portland starting lineup, and before I go any further with my thoughts for tonight, I do want to admit that I was wrong in my initial assessment for a few of those matchups.
The Grizzlies have done an excellent job of shutting down Portland’s outside shooting, as well as doing a much better job of hitting outside shots themselves. I was concerned how Mike Conley and Tony Allen would fare in their respective returns, but I see those concerns have been largely unfounded.
Arron Afflalo will possibly be returning to the Blazers starting lineup after missing the first two games of the series due to a shoulder injury. CJ McCollum and Allen Crabbe each started a game in this series in place of Afflalo, although the overall impact of that decision was not I think what Terry Stotts desired or expected.
It seems McCollum and Crabbe both are more effective coming off the bench, which could work out to the Blazers benefit if Afflalo does indeed make his return in tonight’s game. It remains to be seen just how much difference the addition of Afflalo back to the roster will be for the Blazers.
Chris Kaman could also be sidelined again tonight, which would leave Meyers Leonard getting his minutes to back up Robin Lopez. We have seen that Leonard can make shots if given the opportunity, so a better effort to contain him tonight should be a part of the Grizzlies game plan.
Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, who are probably the two best players for Portland right now, have noticeably struggled in both games. Neither of them are producing offensively the way they did in the regular season, but I would not bank on that being the case tonight.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph struggled a bit against the Portland defense in Game 2, but we had Courtney Lee and Mike Conley picking up the slack, as well as respectable performances once again from our bench players.
Shout out to Vince Carter, whose struggles throughout the season have been widely discussed, for making some big shots from the outside for the Grizzlies in Game 2.
And Beno Udrih gets his own shout out, because seriously, how amazing has he been in this series? Beno Uzi, indeed. I’m always a fan of Beno, but Playoffs Beno has been next level.
The outcome of tonight’s game is going to come down to who wants it more, and who is willing to do the most work to get it.
Here are a few things that are going to be imperative to a Grizzlies victory tonight:
1. Continue to defend the perimeter as effectively as in Games 1 & 2. Force the Portland offense inside, force them into contested shots, and out of their comfort zone
2. Continue to shoot well from the outside, but do not hesitate to drive to the basket if those outside shots aren’t falling. I’m looking at you, Vince and Courtney.
3. Continue forcing Portland into turning the ball over on their end of the court, and continue capitalizing on those turnovers.
4. Make your free throws. This has not been a huge problem in this series and it has not been detrimental yet, but Randolph in particular struggled from the line in Portland during the regular season.
5. Attack the glass on both ends of the floor. Portland has out rebounded this Memphis team on both ends, in both games so far this series.
6. Play Grizzlies basketball, don’t give the Blazers a chance to control the pace.
7. Stay out of foul trouble/defend without fouling
Tip-off:
When: 9:30 PM CST
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
TV/Radio Broadcasts: ESPN, SportsSouth, 92.9 FM
Doesn't bluff, stays grinding.
Bluff City Born and Memphis Made
- Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach Niele Ivey Named New Head Coach for Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team - April 22, 2020
- Notes From Grizzlies Media Day 2019 - October 2, 2019
- Memphis Grizzlies 2019 Training Camp Roster - September 30, 2019
