Court Vision: Gritty Grizzlies boot Blazers in 5, move on to Warriors
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Playing without Mike Conley in Game 5, the Grizzlies earned a trip to the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday, notching a 99-93 close-out win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Now in the NBA's version of the Elite Eight, Memphis heads to Golden State -- the West's top seed -- for Game 1 on Sunday.
THREE-POINT TAKE
1. The Grizzlies are moving from McCollum/Leonard to the Splash Brothers
Raise your hand if you thought C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard were going to be the Grizzlies' biggest problems in this series.
Put your hand down, fibber.
McCollum, who hit 16 of 26 shots in the previous two games, set a team-record Wednesday for playoff scoring off the bench. He finished with a game-high 33 and buried seven three-pointers.
Leonard made 3 of 5 shots from the beyond the arc in Game 5 ... and 10 of 13 triples for the series.
Truth, the problems just became greater -- in the form of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Curry, who could grandma-shoot his way to 30 points, averages 24 per game against Memphis (43 percent from 3-point range) and eight assists.
In three games against the Grizzlies this season, Thompson has absurdly shot 63 percent from the field (75 percent from beyond the arc) and averaged 30.7 points per game. Both percentages are Thompson's highest against any team -- and the 30.7 ppg is topped only against Indiana.
But for one night, Memphis is glad to send McCollum, the first Blazer to make seven 3s in a playoff game, and Leonard home.
Off the bench, the duo brought Portland back from an early 15-3 hole. Inexplicably off the bench again to start the second half, they did it again, heading a 22-6 run that on McCollum's fifth 3-pointer gave the Blazers a 61-58 lead.
"For whatever reason, we got off to slow starts both halves," Stotts said. "It's tough to keep coming back against a team as good as Memphis and as physical."
Portland fans have to wonder what might have been with more McCollum/Meyers and less Robin Lopez/Arron Afflalo.
2. Wednesday night's close-out victory was a true Grit-and-Grind experience
The Grizzlies shot 7.1 percent from beyond the arc.
7.1 percent.
Memphis shot 14 3-pointers and made just one, while Portland made 13 on Wednesday.
But the Grizzlies showed how to defend it -- the only way they know, with grit. Beat on the boards and in the paint in a Game 4 loss, Memphis got back to its style.
It won the rebounding edge (56-38) and outscored Portland in the paint (44-30).
"You've got to stick to what you believe," said Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who had game-highs of 26 points and 14 rebounds. "But you cannot give both."
Memphis did not give up the paint, minus Game 4 dominating the series inside. Zach Randolph had 16 points and eight rebounds. Tony Allen had seven boards.
An emphasis had become guards helping on the glass. That resulted in 20 rebounds for the handlers. Memphis also held Portland, a 45-percent shooting team, to 40 percent in the win -- and 40 percent for the series.
Only Milwaukee shot worse.
"Defense, it's as simple as that, and finishing possessions with a rebound," Gasol said. "It's always our key. That's the only way we know how to win. That's the only way we can win."
3. Mike Conley provided the biggest chill of the night, without ever taking the court
Conley left Game 3 after an inadvertent elbow and had to have surgery Monday to repair multiple facial fractures.
He made his first public appearance Wednesday in a TV interview, revealing a badly bruised face and nearly shut left eye.
Conley had multiple plates in the surgery and the Grizzlies have yet to announce a timetable for his return.
But when he was abruptly shown on the FedExForum video board in the fourth quarter, Conley received a chilling ovation.
His defense, as well as his, offensive pace, could go a long way in Oakland (against the Warriors).
"If he can't go, we're going to figure out a way like we always do," Gasol said. "They have really talented players bringing the ball up and they can shoot it from anywhere."
His absence played a major role in getting Damian Lillard off the schnide, as well as changed Portland's approach.
"We went under pick-and-rolls a lot more," Stotts said. "He is such a threat, you can't really go under him."
Conley may or may not be back and masked up Sunday, but as big of a boost as the backup point guards have been, the screens aren't the same with Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes.
STATS THAT MATTER
5 for 18: Blazers big man LaMarcus Aldridge's shooting numbers in Game 5, tallying just 14 points. For the series, he struggled through making 37 of 112.
10: There were 10 lead changes and seven ties, the last time at 72 with nine minutes left in the game.
STRAIGHT TALK
**"I will cross that bridge later on. Right now, I am just going to be with my teammates and reflect on this season." -- Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge, on whether he will return to Portland next season.
**"I was just doing my job. I'm out there to make shots and space the floor for the big fellows and play off them." -- Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee on coach Dave Joerger calling him the MVP of the series.
Lee scored 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting and for the series shot 66 percent -- and 60 percent from beyond the arc.
