The Memphis Grizzlies (49 - 21) defeated the Portland Trail Blazers (44 - 24), 97 - 86. It marks the Blazers’ fourth straight loss. The Grizzlies swept the season series for the first time in their history. LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum didn’t play in the second half, sidelined by a left hand and lower back injury respectively. Dorell Wright and Meyers Leonard started in their place. Courtney Lee was unable to play due to a right - hand sprain. Jeff Green replaced him in the starting lineup and supplied a team - high 23 points in 40 minutes. Tony Allen tied his career - high with 11 rebounds and recorded six steals. All five starters scored in double figures, but Marc Gasol recorded the only team block. The Grizzlies are now seven games behind the Golden State Warriors for the number one seed in the Western Conference and two and a half games ahead of the Houston Rockets. They have 12 games left to cement their stake as the two seed. The Blazers are one game ahead of the Clippers in the loss column, clinging to the four seed in the Western Conference. If Aldridge aggravated his thumb injury and Batum needs to miss substantial time, the Blazers are in jeopardy of falling to the seven seed by the end of next week. They’re currently one game ahead of the six seeded San Antonio Spurs and seven seeded Dallas Mavericks. They play four games in five nights this week and engage in four back - to - backs the rest of the season. Damian Lillard scored a game - high 27 points, made all nine free throws, and dished out seven assists in 39 minutes. Off the bench, C.J. McCollum scored 13 points and Dorell Wright chipped in 10 points. Chris Kaman missed the game with a shoulder injury. The Grizzlies take on the league’s worst team on Monday, traveling to New York for a game against the Knicks. The Blazers have two days off before hosting the best team in the league, beginning a stretch of four games in five nights against the Golden State Warriors.
["TeamStat(G,'Grizzlies') has 21 Losses ,has 97 Total points ,has 49 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Trail Blazers') has 24 Losses ,has 86 Total points ,has 44 Wins ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'LaMarcus Aldridge') has 7 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Damian Lillard') has 7 Assists ,has 9 Field goals made ,has 39 Free throws made ,has 27 Minutes played ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'CJ McCollum') has 13 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Dorell Wright') has 10 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Jeff Green') has 40 Assists ,has 23 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Marc Gasol') has 5 Assists ,has 5 Field goals made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Tony Allen') has 11 Assists ,has 6 Field goals made ."]