The Portland Trail Blazers have secured last place for the playoffs. In the “play-in” match against Memphis, the Trail Blazers went up and over the Grizzlies in the closing stages.
Portland began the showdown with Memphis in pole position. If it had lost tonight, it would have been given a second chance on Sunday. The Grizzlies as number 9 did not get that second chance. They had to win twice in a row.
Memphis started the game as an underdog, also because it looked lousy since the restart. Still, Portland had its hands full with the Grizzlies, which led to just over 3 minutes from the end.
But with a few three-pointers, Portland still went on and over. A major bomb from Carmelo Anthony 21 seconds from the end was enough to definitively count Memphis out: 126-122.
Portland is pushing through to the play-offs in the West, but as number 8 it will hit the number 1, the LA Lakers of LeBron James.
Highlights from Portland-Memphis (126-122)
This is what the playoffs in the NBA look like
