The Portland Trail Blazers avoided elimination last time out, but they now hit the road to face the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 needing another win.
Where: FedExForum, Memphis:
When: Thursday April 30, 02:30 (UK time)
Watch live: Click here to watch on BT Sport online!
The Grizzlies appeared to be coasting to a series win after taking a 3-0 lead, but Damian Lillard postponed the party at least with an impressive performance last time out as he took advantage of the absence of Mike Conley.
Lillard had 32 points in the win in Game 4, and it is expected that Conley will remain sidelined for at least one more game after he underwent surgery on a facial injury which will be music to the ears of his rival point guard.
The former Rookie of the Year has been singled out as a huge factor in this series if he can find his range, and without the pestering defense of Conley, he will have more room to manoeuvre and lead his team.
LaMarcus Aldridge will continue to play a key role too, but this will come down to more than just talent as Portland need to show that they can cope in the ‘Grindhouse’ with the power and presence of their rivals inside in the paint.
The visitors haven’t won at the FedExForum since January 2013, and they’ve averaged just 89.3 points per game during six consecutive losses there.
As a result, they will need to cope better with both Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph on both ends of the court, as they back-court has been weakened and Memphis may look to give their big men more touches of the ball to push them over the line.
If Portland are capable of squeezing out a win here, it would make things very interesting ahead of Game 6 back on their home court. However, they have a huge task in front of them and that is beating the Grizzlies in front of their own fans.
Prediction: Memphis to be too big and too strong in the front court and seal the win.
COMMENTS