PORTLAND – The Trail Blazers defeated the Grizzlies, 113-98, and in doing so, clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference behind a sellout crowd of 19,545 at Moda Center. Portland joins Houston and Golden State as the only Western Conference teams to solidify spots in the postseason.
The win secures Portland’s playoff berth for the fifth straight season. The last time the Trail Blazers went to the playoffs in five straight years was 1999-2003, as part of a 21-year streak of playoff appearances that began in 1983.
Portland got its scoring from a variety of sources yet again, with Damian Lillard leading the way with 27 points (11-11 FT) to go with nine assists.