Feb 22, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard
Damian Lillard(0) dribbles the ball through his legs against Memphis Grizzlies guard
Mike Conley(11) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
(4) Portland Trail Blazers vs (5) Memphis Grizzlies
Key Matchups: Damian Lillard vs Mike Conley; LaMarcus Aldridge vs Zach Randolph/Marc Gasol
Season Series: Grizzlies won 4-0
Grizzlies
As they hobbled their way to the finish line in the regular season, losing five of its last 10 games, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough situation. Not because of their daunting opponent, no offense to the Blazers, but because of the injuries that they’re currently nursing. Specifically one to their point guard Mike Conley.
If Conley isn’t relatively healthy for this series, the Grizzlies could be subjected to what the Rockets witnessed first-hand in last year’s first round of the playoffs — Lillard Time.
Damian Lillard, with some help from LaMarcus Aldridge, sent the Rockets home early. They could do the same to the Grizzlies, too, if they’re not at full strength.
I don’t think anyone is arguing that the Blazers win this series if the Grizzlies are healthy. That just isn’t the case right now.
Blazers
Losing Wes Matthews has hurt the Blazers significantly, but they certainly have enough to win a first round series in the Western Conference playoffs. I’m not sure if they’ll have anything left after a potentially grueling series against the Grizzlies, should they can make it through, though.
The NBA playoffs is where stars shine, and that’s exactly what Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge showed us in last year’s playoffs. They single-handily took over their series against the Rockets.
However, it’s going to be quite a bit different this season, especially matching up against the Grizzlies’ Grit N’ Grind defense. Lillard will probably see his fair share of Tony Allen (if he plays), one of the NBA’s premiere defenders, and Aldridge will have to maneuver through Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the paint.
Both teams are hobbled and have been struggling to some extent as of late, but this series has the recipe to be a dandy.
Prediction: Blazers in 7
Next: Eastern Conference First Round Previews and Predictions