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Friday, April 17, 2015

Portland Trail Blazers Battle Memphis in Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs

Portland goes into the playoffs banged up and not exactly on top of their game.  They've lost starting guard Wesley Matthews and Aaron Afflolo, who is expected to gain most of Matthews' minutes, has a bum shoulder.  Reserve forward Dorell Wright is also out due to injury while other key players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Kaman, and C.J. McCollum are also nicked up going into game one of their first round matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.  I really don't know what to expect.  Memphis is a very good team.  Portland is too but has lost six of nine.  Afflolo hasn't exactly lit it up since being acquired from Orland though his three point percentage is a very good 40%.  When Matthews was in the lineup I'd put up their starting lineup against most in the NBA.  Now I'm not so sure. 

I think Memphis is a tough matchup with their bigs and is one of the best defenses in the league.  Portland will definitely have to play nothing short of an excellent series.  With two stars in Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge who can take over a game they are in good hands but I think a win in the first round will come about by team ball.  I'm just not sure Portland is deep enough to get past the Grizzlies who could wear Portland down with their stingy defense.  If Portland wins that probably means the series went six or seven games and that is what I'm hoping for. 

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