Calling on a hobbled Beno Udrih to help close out Game 2 on Wednesday may have hurt the Memphis Grizzlies more than playing those final 16 minutes without him would have.
The reserve point guard will not play in Game 3 on Saturday due to a sprained right ankle. Udrih initially sprained the ankle with 7:16 to play in the second quarter Wednesday and was considered doubtful to return, only to check back in with 3:47 to play in the third quarter.
The Slovenian admitted Saturday that returning to the game hurt him, despite his earlier confidence in his health, and he's sitting Game 3 with an eye toward being ready for Game 4 on Monday.
Udrih has been great in the series so far, scoring 30 points with eight rebounds and eight assists in 43 minutes. Nick Calathes will be tasked with more playing time and should prove a capable defensive weapon to help slow Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, though Calathes can't match what Udrih brings at the offensive end of the floor.
Abandoned by his 3-point shot, Udrih still managed to average 7.7 points, 2.8 assists and 0.6 steals in 18.9 minutes this season. Calathes, meanwhile, averaged 4.2 points, 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 14.4 minutes.
