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Grizzlies crush Blazers in Game 1

Apr 20, 2015 - 3:07 AM Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Despite going just three games above .500 after the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies had all the confidence in the world entering a playoff matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers, who they swept in four regular-season meetings.

Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph anchored a tremendous defensive effort and Beno Udrih provided a spark off the bench to lead the Grizzlies to a 100-86 win over the Blazers in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday.

Gasol flashed his usual two-way dominance, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Randolph spent most of the game bullying LaMarcus Aldridge on the block. He had 16 points and 11 boards.

"The only thing that matters now is the next one," said Gasol.

Udrih posted a playoff career-high 20 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists for Memphis, which held Portland to 33.7 percent shooting.

"(Udrih) likes to make plays," added Gasol. "And we needed that. Happy for him. More happy for us because we could definitely use him."

Mike Conley missed the final four games of the regular season with a foot injury, but he returned and contributed 16 points in 24 minutes for the Grizzlies.

Aldridge led the Blazers with 32 points and 14 rebounds but missed 21 field goals and finished with more shots (34) than points.

"It was the first game, and a lot of (my teammates) haven't been in a playoff game," said Aldridge. "It's about going to the film, learning from the things we didn't do and coming back better."

Portland's other All-Star, Damian Lillard, also had a forgettable game from the floor, shooting 5-for-21 for 14 points.

Game 2 is Wednesday in Memphis.

The Grizzlies, despite being seeded fifth, have home-court advantage over the fourth-seeded Blazers because of their better record.

Memphis set the tone from the opening jump, as Randolph and Gasol made layups on consecutive possessions to start the game and Gasol hit a mid-range jumper for a 6-0 lead. Portland missed its first six shots before Aldridge's layup more than three minutes in.

Jeff Green brought the crowd to life moments later, firing a one-handed touch pass to Courtney Lee for a corner 3 that made it 10-2.

The Grizzlies were never really challenged, leading 25-15 after one quarter and extending that lead to 21 points following two Randolph free throws just before halftime.

The second half was more of the same. Nicolas Batum, who played through a bruised right knee, hit from deep to pull Portland within 16 and force a Memphis timeout four minutes in, but the Grizzlies responded with nine straight points to regain control.

It was 86-62 after three quarters, and Portland's reserves got hot late in the game to make the final score closer.

Game Notes

Portland starting shooting guard Arron Afflalo (shoulder) did not dress. Afflalo, who was acquired in a midseason trade with Denver, had been starting since Wes Matthews went down for the season with an Achilles injury ... Memphis is making its franchise-record fifth straight postseason appearance ... The Blazers have lost five straight games going back to the regular season ... Memphis outscored Portland 52-38 in the paint and 15-6 in transition.