PORTLAND Trail Blazers came up with clutch conversions down the stretch to beat Memphis Grizzlies, 126-122, during their 2019-2020 National Basketball Association (NBA) restart showdown on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).
The close victory enabled Portland to secure the eighth and final slot in the Western Conference and head in the playoffs of the biggest caging league in the world.
Point guard Damian Lillard registered 31 points and 10 assists, center Jusuf Nurkic finished with 22 points and 21 rebounds, Carmelo Anthony logged 21 markers, including a game-sealing triple with under a minute left, and CJ McCollum dropped 29 markers.
Securing the No. 8 seat in the West means that Portland will face the No. 1 ranked Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
Ja Morant, who is being tipped to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award this season, tallied 35 points while Jonas Valanciunas recorded 22 points and 16 rebounds for the Grizzlies./PN
