Happy Easter Rip City!! On this wonderful day, we got to see our Trail Blazers get an important win in the Western Conference AND clinch a berth in the postseason.
First Quarter
Damian Lillard got things started early, hitting a three-pointer that prompted a Memphis timeout less than two minutes into the game:
. @dame_lillard doing what he does. pic.twitter.com/MaXykOx2bb
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 2, 2018
During the timeout, Utah’s victory over Minnesota went final, clinching a playoff spot of the Blazers!
Playoffs clinched pic.twitter.com/jei1kvFnqS
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 2, 2018
Portland kept the momentum and jumped out to an early 19-7 lead. In the process, CJ McCollum showed off his fancy footwork.
CJ McCollum... has he taken ballet? #ripcity pic.twitter.com/YQdmP37gSL
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 2, 2018
And a no-look slam for Evan Turner! The Blazers were rolling early on.
No-look for @thekidet pic.twitter.com/ic2UMor4Sj
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 2, 2018
Portland held a 32-24 lead after one, a lead that would’ve been larger had Dillon Brooks not hit this 40-footer at the buzzer:
Second Quarter
Memphis started the second quarter on a 12-5 run cutting the lead to three, forcing a Terry Stotts timeout. The timeout didn’t help as Memphis stole the lead back after several minutes of sloppy basketball by the Blazers.
Stotts opted to take another timeout when Memphis maintained the lead, trying to infuse some energy in his team. The timeout worked to a point, as the Blazers outscored Memphis 6-2 in the final three minutes of the half.
Portland led Memphis 55-51 after two. Portland shot 5/21 from behind the arc, with Lillard leading all players with 13 points.
Third Quarter
Portland started the third on an 8-3 run, taking a nine-point lead.
The team would play several minutes of back and forth basketball before a monster jam by Dame.
THAT WAS NASTY! Dame throws it down. WATCH it from every angle #ripcity pic.twitter.com/PYyoXz3V0A
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 2, 2018
A breakaway three-point play by Al-Farouq Aminu extended the lead to 16.
Aminu tumbles into the first row for the & 1 #ripcity pic.twitter.com/JWPVUJdIrN
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 2, 2018
After a dunk by Memphis, CJ joins the dunk party!
CJ dunk? CJ dunk... #ripcity pic.twitter.com/U5NixbXpcj
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 2, 2018
CJ wasn’t done, as he throws down another one! These are rare enough for the guard, not to mention two in one game!
Another CJ dunk...? Another CJ dunk... #ripcity pic.twitter.com/u7Wt4TOFp5
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) April 2, 2018
Portland would continue to build their lead, taking a 98-75 lead after three quarters.
Fourth Quarter
Memphis started the fourth quarter on an 18-5 run. The Grizzlies were on fire, cutting the Blazers lead to 10 when Coach Stotts finally called a timeout.
The timeout did the trick, as Portland ended the game on a 10-5 run. Portland wins, 113-98.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 27 points, while Al-Farouq Aminu finished with a 17 point, 10 rebound double-double.
Takeaways
- Portland assisted on at least 26 baskets in consecutive games for the first time this season.
- After several good outings by the Blazers bench, tonight was not their night. The bench combined for only 21 points, a number that must improve come playoffs. Ed Davis’ injury certainly crippled this number for the next two weeks.
- Portland clinched a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season tonight. It was clinched before the Blazers even won as Utah crushed Minnesota.
Next: Blazers likely without Ed Davis for 2 weeks
Up Next
The Blazers (48-29) head to the Lone Star State to take on the Mavericks (23-54) for the final road trip of the year.