Postgame Report: Grizzlies fall to Trail Blazers in overtime in first of eight seeding games in Orlando

The Memphis Grizzlies were unable to slow down the hot-shooting
Portland Trail Blazers as they fell 140-135 (OT) on Friday afternoon at the
ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

The Grizzlies struggled on the defensive end in the first quarter as
Portland shot 62.0 percent from the floor in the opening period.
CJ McCollum got off to a strong start with eight of the
Blazers 35 first quarter points. Jonas Valanciunas got
things going early for Memphis, scoring 12 points and grabbing three
rebounds in the first. Portland outscored Memphis 14-6 in paint points to
give them a 35-30 edge after one quarter of play. Portland used a 17-7 run
early in the second quarter to give to take a 54-42 lead with 5:53 remaining
in the first half. The Grizzlies shot the ball well in the first half (45.7
percent), but were unable to slow down the Trail Blazers offense, as
Portland shot 55.6 percent to take a 68-60 lead heading into the locker
room.

The Grizzlies grabbed the momentum to start the second half as
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 13 of his 33 points in the third
quarter alone. Memphis exploded for a 32-8 run to take a commanding 94-83
lead with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter following two free-throws from
Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies stretched their lead to nine points at 112-103
with 5:56 remaining in the fourth quarter following a put-back dunk from
Brandon Clarke. The Blazers battled back to outscore
Memphis 21-12 in the final five minutes to send the game into overtime tied
at 124-124. Portland exploded on an 11-0 run to begin the overtime period;
capped off by a CJ McCollum three-pointer with 2:31
remaining in overtime. The Grizzlies trimmed the Blazers lead to just three
points with 1:14 to play, but the Grizz were unable to complete the comeback
as Portland escaped with a 140-135 victory.

Jackson Jr. finished the night with a game-high tying 33 points (10-22 FG,
6-15 3P) while going to the free-throw line a team-high nine times.
Tonight’s 50 free-throw attempts for Memphis marked the most for the
Grizzlies this season. Ja Morant posted a double-double
with 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 41 minutes of play. Clarke
led all bench scorers with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists on
7-of-8 shooting. Valanciunas totaled 16 points, four rebounds and an assist.
Dillon Brooks added 15 points, four rebounds and four
assists as the Grizzlies fell to 32-34 on the season.

McCollum led Portland in scoring with 33 points, six assists and two steals
on 14-of-21 shooting. Damian Lillard added 29 points, nine
assists and five rebounds while shooting 10-of-22 from the floor.
Carmelo Anthony tallied 21 points, seven rebounds and two
steals. Gary Trent Jr. led the Portland bench with 17
points, two assists and one rebound as the Blazers improved to 30-37 on the
season.

The Grizzlies will return to the court on Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3:00 p.m. CT as
they take on the San Antonio Spurs inside the Visa Athletic Center in
Orlando, FL. Fans can watch the game on FOX Sports Southeast or listen on
92.9 FM ESPN.

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