The Memphis Grizzlies ended the Portland Trail Blazers' season on Wednesday night with a 99-93 Game 5 win, led by Marc Gasol's 26 points (9-15 FG), 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. The gentleman's sweep means Memphis will face the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the playoffs. Here's what you need to know:
FOURTH QUARTER GRIND: The Grizzlies made it ugly in the fourth quarter when they were in real danger. Portland had outscored Memphis 27-22 in the previous period, and C.J. McCollum had a career-high 27 points through three. The final frame saw the Grizzlies outscore the Blazers 31-27, and hold them to 40 percent shooting on the game. McCollum was largely held in check by Nick Calathes, and Damian Lillard by Tony Allen. Jeff Green, quiet for most of the night, had a couple of huge plays in crunch time.
It would be very difficult to overstate the importance of what Memphis did in the fourth. Portland was in rhythm, confident and prepared to take the series back home. The Grizzlies, without Mike Conley and with an obviously limited Beno Udrih, appeared in trouble in the backcourt. They tried Courtney Lee at point guard, and they were failing to account for Meyers Leonard on the perimeter. The last thing they needed was for the Blazers to have a chance at extending this thing.
Fortunately for Memphis, the great defense that defines this team came through at the right time. Credit to Calathes, Allen and of course Gasol, who has been playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level in the postseason.
SERIOUSLY, THOUGH, C.J. MCCOLLUM! The second-year guard had the best game of his professional career on quite a big stage, bringing back memories of when he introduced himself to the world starring for Lehigh against Duke in the NCAA tournament.
McCollum had been great in Games 3 and 4, but he was on another level this time. McCollum attacked the basket when he had an advantage, and he didn't hesitate on his 3-pointers. He finished with 33 points on 12-for-20 shooting, including 7-for-11 from deep.
Every Blazer is going to be disappointed with a first-round exit, but McCollum should go into next season feeling great about his game. At the very least, he's going to be counted on to score off the bench. Depending on what happens with the roster in the summer, his role could be bigger than that.
ROUGH SERIES FOR ALDRIDGE: LaMarcus Aldridge had a tough time against the Grizzlies. He shot 5-for-18 from the field for 14 points in the deciding game and went 37-for-112 (33 percent) in the series. His point total decreased in each contest.
It's not at all abnormal for bigs to struggle against Memphis, but Portland was never going to go far if he couldn't get going. Let's not forget that he averaged just about 30 points per game in last year's first-round series against the Houston Rockets, including a pair of 40-plus point games.
Aldridge will be a free agent in July, and the speculation about his future has already started. If this was the last time he takes the court as a Blazer, he did not exactly go out with a bang.
