Blazers Bullied in Game 2

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

GRIZZLIES 97, BLAZERS 82

The series can so far be summed up in a single play:

Z-Bo doing Z-Bo things. #MEMvPOR https://t.co/HJEzmarftx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 23, 2015

Zach Randolph caught the ball around the three point line and posted up LaMarcus Aldridge. Randolph bulled into Aldridge with his shoulder, one, two, three times, forcing him into the paint where he scored at the rim.

It isn't so much the principals of the sequence that I mean to highlight, but rather the Grizzlies' powerful assertion of will and the Trail Blazers' helplessness to do anything about it.

The Grizzlies are simply having their way.

Aldridge, for his part, fought like a dog to fend them off, but once again he didn't get enough help.

Like in game one, Damian Lillard struggled mightily on Wednesday. And if he's unable to get it going Saturday--and perhaps even if his is--this thing is as good as done.

To be sure, credit goes to Memphis' defense, but the Grizzlies offense is operating at a similarly high clip. The Grizzlies made 8-of-16 from beyond the arc, out-shooting the Blazers, who are more reliant on the three-point shot. Portland made just 6-of-20 from deep. They are now making just 27% of their three's for the series.

Indeed, the Blazers are getting next to nothing from the shooters in their backcourt. Lillard along with Allen Crabbe and C.J. McCollum shot a combined 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. Steve Blake did not attempt a shot. Another frightening stat:

RoLo, AC and Meyers combined to shoot 10-for-13. Every other Blazer that attempted a field goal missed at least 10 shots. Tough night.
— Kris Koivisto (@KrisKoivisto) April 23, 2015

Unlike in game one, the Blazers actually did hold a lead during Wednesday's game. Portland opened the game with a 10-2 run and took a 21-19 lead into the second quarter. Then things fell apart.

The Grizzlies started doubling Aldridge and simultaneously discovered their own offense. Memphis opened the second with a 20-to-4 run.

The Blazers were able to cut the deficit back to single-digits in the final quarter, while Lillard was one the bench. During that span Meyers Leonard found a hot hand.

But when the starters for both teams checked back in the Grizzlies resumed doing what they'd done earlier: bullying the Blazers.

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B-	LaMarcus Aldridge Aldridge fought hard. He ripped down 14 rebounds and swatted away four blocks. On offense, though, he struggled, making just 7-of-20 field goal attempts. He also had four turnovers. Despite finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds, it was not a wholly effective game for Aldridge--at least not as transcendent as the Blazers need him to be. He does, however, get points for fighting.
C+	Nicolas Batum While Batum was one of the rare bright spots in game one, he regressed somewhat on Wednesday. The mercurial small forward took 15 shots and made just five, and of his six three-point tries he made just one. He finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He also had four turnovers--but at least he was trying to set up his teammates. Batum was the only Blazer with more than one assist.
B-	Robin Lopez Lopez was much, much better than in game one. He came out Wednesday and matched the Grizzlies' physical play. He had two blocks and alter more. He also made 5-of-6 shots, mostly cleaning the offensive glass. More than six rebounds would've been nice, but hey--he was at least able to improve from Sunday's dismal outing.
B+	Arron Afflalo Instead of McCollum, Crabbe got the start. He was a little better on defense, though wholly invisible on offense (by design). He Hit one of two attempts, a three.
F+	Damian Lillard Once again Lillard struggled mightily. Outside of the lane he couldn't get a shot to fall. On 5-of-16 shooting overall and 1-of-5 from deep, he finished with 18 points, though a chunk of those came from the free throw line in garbage time. Every bit as distressing--and perhaps even more when the shots won't fall--was Lillard's single assist. Just brutal.
F	CJ McCollum Returning to the second unit, McCollum was asked to score like a sixth man. He took the shots, he just didn't make them. He finished with six points, three rebounds and no assists in 29 minutes.
B+	CJ McCollum Once again Leonard showed promise. He's a matchup problem for the Grizzlies, and helped cut the lead back to single digits late. Then, somewhat mysteriously, coach Terry Stotts pulled him. In 18 minutes Leonard made 4-of-5 shots from the field, including both of his three point attempts. He would've had another had it not been disqualified on replay for not beating the buzzer. He finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.