Blazers Defeat Grizzlies in Play-in To Face Off With LeBron's Lakers

The Portland Trailblazers took care of the underdog Memphis Grizzlies 126-122 in the "play-in" round. Damian Lillard dominated per usual, but CJ McCollum turned heads with 29 points. The win punched Portland's ticket to face off with LeBron and Anthony Davis...oof...

Injuries to the front court costing them majority of the season kept Portland from contention. The pandemic bought an ailing roster time to get back to the floor. The Blazers 5-2 record in the bubble showed a hungry team...but also a healthy 10-man rotation.

Should the Blazers scare LeBron and the Lakers?

Dame and McCollum led a potent offense that should strike fear in any opponent, so why are experts still doubting the duo?

DEFENSE.

Portland struggled to keep Grizzlies star rookie Ja Morant in check...who the hell plans on stopping arguably the greatest player in NBA history? Don't forget his defensive-player-of-the-year sidekick averaging 26.1 points/game.

The play-in game was wildly entertaining. Basket after basket. Now they have answers for the best duo in the game? Probably not.

Worth noting the emergence of CJ McCollum late in the 4th quarter...from standing in the corner last Tuesday watching Dame drop 61 points...to carrying the offensive load with a BACK FRACTURE.

The Lakers take on the Blazers Tuesday, so expect plenty of action on offense. If you hug the memories of defenses throwing Larry Bird and Michael Jordan on their asses, look away. This series won't be for you.