In a stretch where the Portland Trail Blazers need every win they can get, they held off the Memphis Grizzlies for one of the biggest victories of the season. Damian Lillard came alive in the fourth, scoring 13 straight points in a short stretch to give Portland a boost.
Lillard scores 11 straight for Blazers #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/ElVVT3HEpz
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
The Blazers have reeled off three straight wins before they host the Western Conference Champion Golden State Warriors Sunday night.
The Blazers took a big 18-point lead in the first half, but the Grizzlies slowly clawed their way back into it. This was the usual Grizzlies affair: grit and grind, claw for every point, and try to stop Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Portland struggled to do that, but kept the other Grizzlies from burning them. Portland nearly gave away the game in the final seconds, but Memphis could not complete the last-second comeback.
Watch the final 7.5 second defensive stand to give Blazers the victory pic.twitter.com/jZAJ7OpH7C
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Prior to his late scoring binge, Lillard’s health was a big story. He slipped in a wet spot on the Moda Center court, doing the splits inadvertently. Despite groin pain, he stayed in the game, but looked hobbled for a while.
Aminu hits a three, Lillard hits the deck #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/Upg8I2KbwJ
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Later, he took a hard fall after tripping on the foot of Tony Allen.
Lillard takes another hard spill pic.twitter.com/atPT1xiPKF
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Besides Lillard, the Blazers were led by Allen Crabbe, CJ McCollum, and Mason Plumlee.
Highlights
Mason Plumlee opens the game with back to back dunks for Blazers #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/Z9xqSxRZ1Y
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Connaughton's got hops! #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/o41hG4npJx
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Crabbe completes the 4-point play #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/xDdg0ZNgeb
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Aminu with the unconventional assist to CJ #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/P9wtbhYHf9
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Aminu with the unconventional assist to CJ, with replay pic.twitter.com/WoZgHC95J4
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Plumlee somehow ends up with & 1 on this play #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/XJTtTFQPTs
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Crabbe season: AC drills back to back threes #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/imzEFqdifm
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
Crabbe ties career high in 3's made, puts Blazers back on top #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/4mnftKjq2Q
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 28, 2017
What’s Next
A few nights off for the Blazers, and they’ll be back at Moda Sunday night at 6:00 pm, for a date with the Golden State Warriors. Stay tuned tonight for more coverage of the Grizzlies game from Blazer’s Edge.