Thoughts From The Play-In Game + Bubble Awards!
After the Blazers and Grizzlies played in their play-in game for the 8th seed, here are my thoughts and opinions.
News: Alvin Gentry of the New Orleans Pelicans and Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls have both been fired.
News: Damian Lillard has been named the Kia Player of the Seeding Games By Unanimous Decision. Lillard averaged 37.6 points and 9.0 assists.
News: Suns Coach Monty Williams was named Coach of the Seeding Games after the Suns went 8-0 in the bubble.
News:
1st Team All-Seeding Games
Devin Booker – Phoenix Suns
Luka Doncic – Dallas Mavericks
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
James Harden – Houston Rockets
TJ Warren – Indiana Pacers
2nd Team All-Seeding Games
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee Bucks
Kawhi Leonard – LA Clippers
Kristaps Porzingis – Dallas Mavericks
Caris Levert – Brooklyn Nets
Michael Porter Jr. – Denver Nuggets
#9 Memphis Grizzlies vs #8 Portland Trail Blazers
The Grizzlies needed a win to stay alive and still in the hunt for the 8th seed in the Western Conference. With a win the Blazers would face the Lakers. With a loss there would be another game on Sunday.
The Blazers led 31-19 after the 1st quarter as Portland did a great job getting to the foul line and their defense looked very good compared to the 8 seeding games, where their defense was about as bad as you can get. The Grizzlies came out with no energy and have dug themselves into a hole, and they better turn it up in these final 36 minutes or else they will be eliminated.
And the Grizzlies played much better in the 2nd quarter as the scoring picked up. The Blazers still led 58-52 at halftime. The Blazers had 4 people in double figures led by Jusuf Nurkic who had 15 points and 18 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and 7 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
Both teams were playing good defensively as the Grizzlies shot 42% from the field and the Blazers were 41% from the field. The Blazers were 17/20 from the free throw line as the Grizzlies fouled Portland 13 times.
The 2nd half will get more chippy and physical as both teams fight down the stretch for a chance to play the Lakers in the 1st round.
The Grizzlies had 42 points in the 3rd and they led 94-89 entering the 4th. The Grizzlies were controlling the game heading into the 4th and it looks like the Blazes have run out of steam.
But the Grizzlies fell apart in the 4th quarter as the Blazers outscored the Grizzlies 37-28 in the 4th quarter. And the Blazers hung on to win 126-122. CJ McCollum hit some big shots in the 4th quarter and the Blazers won the play-in game and they advance to the playoffs to face the Lakers.
Damian Lillard had 31 points and 10 assists for Portland. CJ McCollum had 29 points as well. Jusuf Nurkic had 22 points, and 21 rebounds, and 6 assists. Carmelo Anthony added 21 points.
Ja Morant had a career high 35 points and 8 assists. Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points, 17 rebounds, and 6 assists. Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke had 20 points each. Kyle Anderson had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists.
The Grizzlies shot 49% from the field and 56% from 3. The Blazers shot 45% from the field and 38% from 3. The Blazers were also 35/41 from the free throw line. The Grizzlies had 18 turnovers as they did not do a good job taking care of the ball. The Grizzlies had 56 points in the paint.
The Blazers and their balanced scoring dominated the young Grizzlies. While Damian Lillard was not shooting the ball a lot or particularly well, he used that to his advantage as his teammates got lots of open shots, which they hit more often than not. So the Blazers and their explosive offense will now face the Lakers in the playoffs, while the young and promising Grizzlies will go home.
What Did You Think Of The Play-In Game? Leave A Comment Down Below!
The Playoffs Begin on Monday, So Stay Tuned!
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