Jeff Green scores 23 as Grizzlies beat wounded Trail Blazers

Jeff Green is starting to heat up.

Green scored 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field as the Memphis Grizzlies strengthened their hold on the second seed out West with a 97-86 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Green was on fire, nailing an assortment of jumpers, some of which quite frankly had no business of going in. Green is now averaging 19.7 points over his last three games.

Saturday's win also featured a breakout performance from Tony Allen. In his first start since Jan. 21, Allen filled the boxscore with 10 points, 11 rebounds and six steals to go along with his signature lockdown defense.

The Trail Blazers managed to keep it close at halftime as they trailed by nine. However, both Nicolas Batum (back) and LaMarcus Aldridge (left thumb) left at halftime, which allowed the Grizzlies to build a 15-point edge heading into the fourth.

Memphis' win pushes its lead on the second seed to 2.5 games up on the Houston Rockets, who lost to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. Portland, meanwhile, moves into a tie for fourth with the Los Angeles Clippers.