Grizzlies overcome double-digit 4th-quarter deficit to drop Trail Blazers
The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off a thrilling comeback to down the Portland Trail Blazers in a battle of the Western Conference's elite.
Memphis erased a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to pull away with a 98-92 victory on the road against one of the NBA's top home teams.
Entering the fourth down 13 after Portland erupted for 39 in the third, Memphis refused to quit and used its stingy defense to crawl back into the contest. The Grizzlies outscored the Trail Blazers 34-15 in the final quarter to sink Portland to 23-6 at the Moda Center.
Trail Blazers were 4-23 in 4th quarter, matching their worst-shooting quarter of season
It cost them as Grizzlies rallied for 98-92 win
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 23, 2015
Portland, which got crushed by the Utah Jazz on Friday, has lost both its games post All-Star break, giving Oklahoma City Thunder a remote chance to challenge for a division title that appeared to be locked up long ago. Oklahoma City trails the Trail Blazers by 5.5 games in the Northwest after Russell Westbrook powered the Kevin Durant-less Thunder to their sixth consecutive victory Sunday.
Memphis' frontcourt combination of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol proved their worth in the fourth. Randolph took control of the game in the early goings of the quarter, scoring 10 of the Grizzlies' first 12 points to cut into Portland's double-digit lead, while Gasol helped complete the turnaround.
The Grizzlies turned to Gasol frequently down the stretch and he delivered his biggest shot with 30 seconds remaining. Gasol, the team's leading scorer, hit a pivotal 13-foot jumper to make it a two-possession game and ice the contest.
All five Grizzlies starters scored in double figures, led by Gasol who dropped a game-high 21 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
Portland was without All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who sat out the contest with a right thumb sprain.
Memphis continues to hold a slim lead in the Southwest, basketball's toughest division, while eyeing down the conference-best Golden State Warriors for West supremacy. The Grizzlies, the third NBA team to amass 40 wins, sit in second in the conference and 3.5 back of the Warriors.
There's no rest for the wicked, though, as the Grizzlies visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday for the second night of a back-to-back.