Grizzlies Beat Trail Blazers 94-76 In Record-Setting Win
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Portland Trail Blazers 94-76 Wednesday night for their fourth straight win and a new franchise-record with their 51st win of the season. The Grizzlies were led by guard Mike Conley, who finished with 20 points and five assists in the road win.
The Grizzlies jumped out to an early lead over the Trail Blazers, who were without starter LaMarcus Aldridge for the fourth straight game due to a sprained right ankle. Aldridge leads Portland with an average of 21 points a game, and his offense was dearly missed in the first half as the Trail Blazers fell behind by as much as 18.
Portland fought back in the second half and came within seven points before the Grizzlies pulled away. J.J. Hickson and Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers with 17 points apiece, while center Meyers Leonard added 10 points and seven rebounds in the loss.
The loss officially eliminates the Trail Blazers from playoff contention as they have dropped six games back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the final spot in the West. Portland has now lost six straight games and will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Memphis is now 11-3 when Mike Conley scores 20 or more points after the win in Portland. Outside of Conley’s big night, Zach Randolph finished with 17 points while Ed Davis added 12 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.
The Grizzlies are on a roll, and have already clinched a playoff spot in the West. Their focus has now turned to home court advantage with only two weeks left in the season.
Memphis is currently a game and a half back of the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth place in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies visit the Lakers on Friday before meeting with the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
The Grizzlies have been the biggest surprise out West this season, and continue winning while head coach Lionel Collins finds time to rest his stars. The Grizzlies have one of the strongest defenses in the NBA, which they desperately needed, especially with the lowest points per game average in the Western Conference at 93.8 a game.
The Memphis Grizzlies beat the Portland Trail Blazers in a 94-76 rout Wednesday night to start a three-game road swing on the West Coast. Can Mike Conley and the Grizzlies make waves in the upcoming NBA playoffs to shock the Western Conference?
[Image via Mark Runyon| Basketball Schedule]
