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Grizzlies take 3-0 Series lead over Blazers

Memphis took a 3-0 series lead in the First Round of the Western Conference Playoffs as the Grizzlies defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 115-109 Saturday night at Moda Center in Portland. It marks the first 3-0 postseason series lead in Grizzlies franchise history. The Grizzlies have gone seven for seven against the Blazers this year.

Marc Gasol led Memphis with 25 points, 6-of-17 from the field and 13-of-14 from the line. Courtney Lee added 20 points and Nick Calathes finished with 13 points as the Grizzlies led and never looked back. The victory marked the Grizzlies seventh wire-to-wire win this season and second in this Series.

Nicolas Batum led all scorers with 27 points.

The Grizzlies took care of business from start to finish leading by as many as 14. The Grizzlies scored 62 points in the first half marking a new franchise high. For every Blazers run, the Grizzlies answered with a run of their own. Memphis didn't allow Portland transition points.

Portland closed within 90-82 with 7:28 left after a trio of free throws from Nicolas Batum. Gasol responded with two jumpers to end the threat until Arron Afflalo's 3-pointer pulled Portland to 94-87. Batum's 3-pointer got Portland as close as 94-91 with 2:23 left. But Tony Allen's basket ended Portland's 9-0 run and Randolph added free throws.

Allen's fast-break dunk with 1:14 left all but sealed it for the Grizzlies. Batum had another 3-pointer to make it 100-94 but Portland couldn't catch up.

Mike Conley left the game in the third quarter with a facial injury and was hospitalized for further evaluation.. Beno Udrih did not play due to a right ankle sprain.

The Grizzlies will look to take the Series sweep on Monday in Portland. Catch the action on SportSouth and join us at the Grizzlies Bud Light Watch Party at Cafe Ole in midtown at 9:30pm.

Key Stats of the Night

  • The 62 first-half points are a playoff record for the team.
  • The Grizzlies set a team playoff record by making 39 free throws; their 43 attempts were off of their playoff high of 47.

Key Run of the Night

  • Kosta Koufos made a hook shot that gave Memphis its biggest lead of the first half, 40-28. Memphis went on to lead 62-49 at halftime, scoring 30 points in the paint and shooting 57.5 percent.

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Player Notes

  • Courtney Lee had 20 points.
  • Mike Conley had 14 points before leaving the game with facial injury. No update is available at this time
  • Zach Randolph added 16 points against the team who drafted him.
  • LaMarcus Aldridge finished with just 21 points.

Next Game

The Grizzlies will look to close the Series against the Trail Blazers in Round 1, Game 4 of the 2015 NBA Playoffs on Monday, April 27 at 9:30pm.