MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marc Gasol had 26 points and 14 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Portland Trail Blazers 99-93 on Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies reached the West semifinals for the third time in five years. They will play Game 1 on Sunday at Golden State.
Memphis closed out Portland in five games despite not having point guard Mike Conley for a second straight game as he recovers from surgery to repair broken bones near his left eye. Coach Dave Joerger said the Grizzlies take a great deal of pride in winning this series.
“For us to beat a team eight times in one year, that’s pretty difficult to do,” Joerger said. “I’m really proud of our guys because they aren’t slouching. That’s a tough team over there.”
Courtney Lee added 20 points for Memphis, Zach Randolph had 16 and Jeff Green added 10 off the bench.
CJ McCollum led Portland with a career-high 33 points. Damian Lillard had 22 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 before fouling out late as they combined to shoot 13-of-37.
The Grizzlies finished off the game hitting 10 of 14 free throws in the final 64 seconds, and Gasol blocked a jumper by Nicolas Batum with 6.9 seconds left to start the celebration.
Memphis led only 68-66 at the end of the third, and Portland had the seventh and last tie at 72 before Vince Carter put the Grizzlies ahead to stay with a fadeaway jumper. Aldridge got the Trail Blazers within 76-75 with a three-point play before Memphis went on a 9-0 run, pushing its lead back to double digits.
Thumbnail image via Nelson Chenault/USA TODAY Sports Images
