Blazers Win Game 4, Live to See Another Day

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

BLAZERS 99, GRIZZLIES 92

Memphis leads series 3-1

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The Blazers aren't dead yet.

In their eighth meeting of the season, Monday, Portland finally beat the Grizzlies, 99-92. In doing so, the Blazers avoided a playoff sweep and forced Game 5 in Memphis, Wednesday.

And while it was Portland's most complete performance of the postseason, it wasn't always pretty.

After taking their first second half lead of the series into the break, Portland emerged from intermission in a daze. Or, alternatively, the Grizzlies tightened their defense in hopes of finishing the Trail Blazers.

Either way, Portland struggled mightily in the third quarter. They managed just 13 points--a series-low for any quarter--while making just 5-of-20 attempts from the field. In the period, the Blazers were blocked twice, forced into four turnovers, and outscored by The Grizzlies 27-13.

The Moda Center crowd was on pins and needles.

Portland opened the fourth much as they ended the third, mostly due to questionable, untested lineup coach Terry Stotts trotted out: Steve Blake, Robin Lopez, Nicolas Batum, Meyers Leonard and C.J. McCollum. After missing their first five shots, Stotts pulled the plug. At the time, Portland were down 10 points.

After a timeout, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard checked back in and the Blazers regained their momentum. Over the following five minutes Portland pulled even, outscoring Memphis 12-2.

The Grizzlies retook the lead, but gave the Blazers--and the Moda Center crowd--a massive boost with a four-point play.

On the following play Lillard assisted on a McCollum three. The Blazers led the rest of the way.

And while it came down to digging out of yet another second half hole, Meyers Leonard's first half performance deserves mention. He was brilliant, making all three attempts from deep and 5-of-6 overall. The Blazers couldn't have done it without him. Afterwards, on TNT's post-game show, Shaquille O'Neil dubbed Leonard "Baby Sabonis" for his shot-making and deft passing. Leonard responded:

"I've got a long ways to go before being considered a Sabonis" -- @MeyersLeonard11
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) April 28, 2015

It must also be noted that Memphis were without starting point guard Mike Conley, who suffered a facial fracture in Game 3, and underwent surgery on Monday. His status going forward is unclear.

But one thing is certain: the Blazers live to see another day.

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C-	LaMarcus Aldridge It was a sneakily poor game for Aldridge, who netted 18 points and 12 rebounds while shooting just 6-of-22 from the field. During the third quarter, Aldridge missed all seven of his attempts. He did, however, limit Zach Randolph with his defense. As things stand this post-season, he and Lillard have yet to truly go off in the same game.
C	Nicolas Batum After making five three's and tying a season high on Saturday, Batum's shot ceased to fall. He made just 3-of-13 from the field and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc on Monday. He made up for it with 13 rebounds and four assists, while playing a heavy 42 minutes.
D	Robin Lopez Oddly, Lopez has become an afterthought in this series. For whatever reason, he's unable to bang around with Gasol in the paint. In 21 minutes Lopez scored six points and grabbed only three rebounds.
F	Arron Afflalo Afflalo has become more of a ghost in the series than Lopez. He played 19 minutes, most of which came in the first half, missed all five of his shot attempts and scored zero points. The only he's starting seems to be because McCollum is more comfortable and effective coming off the bench.
B	Damian Lillard Monday's was Lillard's best game of the series. In part it's no surprise, as Memphis' starting point guard Mike Conley was unable to play. Still, Lillard made shots early and often, got his teammates invovled, and sealed the game at the line late. He also took a few bad, rushed shots. Luckily this time they won't come back to haunt him. Lillard finished with 32 points and seven assists.
A	CJ McCollum McCollum had another great game after returning to the second unit, where he's allowed to handle the ball and attack. But McCollum also turned in solid minutes down the stretch, hitting the go-ahead three with 1:20 to play. In the last two games he has poured in 44 points on 16-for-26 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from deep. Hopefully that confidence will travel.
A	Meyers Leonard Like McCollum, Leonard has gotten to the point where he's playing, not thinking. He's existing in the flow of the game and it's paying dividends. Making three three's in the first half, Leonard amped up the crowd and gave the Blazers an early lead. His 13 points were a playoff high. He also pulled down 13 rebounds and dished two assists.