BLAZERS PREVIEW: Grizzlies’ Mike Conley Needs Surgery, Will Miss Game 4

Monday, April 27, 2015

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

BLAZERS VS GRIZZLIES
7:30PM, TV: TNT & KGW
VEGAS LINE: BLAZERS -3

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After taking an inadvertent elbow from C.J. McCollum in Game 3, Mike Conley will miss Game 4, Monday in Portland.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Conley suffered multiple facial fractures and would undergo surgery in Memphis on Monday. There is no timetable for his return.

With Conley out, oddsmakers in Las Vegas favor the Blazers to win by two or three points.

Grizzlies' back-up point guard Beno Udreh, who missed Game 3 with a sprained ankle, figures to start in place of Conley, though his effectiveness remains in question.

Cynical as it may seem, when the injury first removed Conley from Game 3 in the third quarter, the Blazers blew an opportunity as they were not able to capitalize. Falling in an 0-3 hole effectively ended the series, as no NBA team has ever come back from such a deficit.

Instead, the Blazers are playing for pride--and perhaps the future of this team. Portland's wholesale decimation and gutless performance have raised serious questions about this roster's talent level, Terry Stotts' system and LaMarcus Aldridge's desire to return.

We'll address all those issues in time. But to do so before the series is over would be foolhardy.

More immediately, the Blazers have a chance to thank their fans--as well as show some self-respect and determination--by putting together a complete, competent game on Monday.

Still, regardless of the odds, it won't be easy. To put it another way: I wouldn't make the bet.

The Blazers know their playoff ejection is essentially sealed. They've lost all seven meetings with Memphis this season, and they've not come closer than six points in the playoffs. The way it looks, it's almost as if Portland too believe they don't have a chance.

Indeed, as this first round series has turned out so poorly for the Trail Blazers, a gentleman's sweep (losing 4-games-to-1) has become something to hope for.