Blazers Open Playoffs Sunday in Memphis

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Thursday, April 16, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

The playoff brackets are set: The Blazers will open the first round against the Grizzlies in Memphis. 

Portland, the four seed, will begin the series on the road. The Blazers were guarunteed a top-four seed by virtue of winning the Northwest Division, but will cede home court advantage to the Grizzlies, as Memphis have the better overall record.

The best-of-seven series tips off Sunday, April 19th, at 7:00PM. It will be shown nationally on TNT and on KGW in Portland. The schedule is as follows:

Game 1 - Sunday, April 19 - Portland @ Memphis - 5:00PM, TNT/KGW
Game 2 - Wednesday, April 22 - @ Memphis - 5:00PM, TNT/KGW
Game 3 - Saturday, April 25 - Moda Center - 7:30PM, ESPN/KGW
Game 4 - Monday, April 27 - Moda Center - 7:30PM, TNT/KGW
Game 5* - Wednesday, April 29 - @ Memphis - TBD
Game 6* - Friday, May 1 - Moda Center - TBD
Game 7* - Sunday, May 3 - @ Memphis - TBD

* = If necessary.
BOLD = Blazers home games.

During the regular season the Grizzlies swept the Blazers, winning all four games. But that statistic fails to tell the whole story.

In only one of those contests (November 28th) were the Blazers at full strength. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, had their starting lineup intact each time.

The regular season results were as follows:

GAME 1 - November 28th, in Portland
Grizzlies 112, Blazers 99
Lineup Notes: Both rosters were at full strength.

The Grizzlies shot an impressive 54% from the field while holding the Blazers to 40%, and 29% from distance.

GAME 2 - January 17th, in Memphis
Grizzlies 102, Blazers 98
Lineup Notes: Robin Lopez sat out with a broken hand.

At this point, Jeff Green had been added to the Grizzlies via trade.
Again, the Grizzlies shot well from the field (51%) while limiting the Blazers (39%).

GAME 3 - February 22nd, in Portland
Grizzlies 98, Blazers 92
Lineup Notes: After initially injuring his thumb, Aldridge did not play.

This was one of Portland's most disappointing losses of the season. Portland led by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies came raging back. In the final period Memphis outscored Portland 34-to-15, and won going away.

The Blazers were held to 40% shooting from the field. Memphis netted 47%.

GAME 4 - March 21, in Memphis
Grizzlies 97, Blazers 86
Injury Notes: Wesley Matthews was out for the season. Playing only 18 minutes, LaMarcus Aldridge left after re-aggrivating his thumb.

This came during Portland's lowest point of the season. It was their fourth-straight loss during a horrendous Eastern road trip.

It was also the only game of the season series that Portland (43%) shot better than Memphis (42%) from the floor. The Grizzlies made up for it, however, shooting an uncharacteristic 61% from behind the three-point line.

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