Trail Blazers-Grizzlies playoff series 'starts now' as teams contemplate adjustments for Game 2

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So what does Blazers coach Terry Stotts have up his sleeve for Game 2? He wasn't about to reveal his plans during an 11-minute Monday afternoon meeting with reporters, but there are several areas the Blazers can -- and must -- improve to make this a series.


It starts on offense. The Blazers shot a season-worst 34 percent from the field, a paltry figure they say was a byproduct of multiple factors. There's no doubt the Grizzlies' ball-hawking pressure defense and interior length frustrated the Blazers from opening tip to final horn. But Stotts and his players also insist they saw plenty of open looks, particularly in the first half, but simply endured a cold-shooting night.


Damian Lillard, who has been so clutch over his three-year career, was at the root of the problem. The All-Star point guard endured one of his worst individual performances, making just 5 of 21 shots, while missing all six of his three-point attempts, en route to a 14-point, three-assist outing. Mike Conley and the Grizzlies' guards were determined to keep the always-dangerous Lillard in front of them wherever he roamed, and the tactic worked to perfection.


Stotts almost certainly will add a wrinkle or two to some of his plays, creating actions and looks the Grizzlies might not be anticipating. But even more, Stotts said, the Blazers simply need to set better screens and flash tighter execution to free Lillard and open up the rest of their offense for Game 2.


"He's going to have the ball in his hands," Stotts said of Lillard. "I think screening is going to be important. Obviously he's a pick-and-roll player. He's going to shoot the ball better. He's shown he's one of the best shooters in the league, so that's not really a concern. He had 20 shots, and as long as he's getting quality shots, that's the most important thing. But it I think setting screens and creating separation is going to be important for him."


There also could be some personnel adjustments. Arron Afflalo, who sat out Game 1 with a strained right shoulder, said before tipoff that he was hopeful he could return on Wednesday. His addition would add playoff experience and another capable defender to the fold for the Blazers. It's also possible Meyers Leonard could see more, or at least different, playing time. He was a lone bright spot Sunday night, recording seven points, nine rebounds, two assists and two rebounds, while making 2 of 3 three-pointers, in 16 minutes. If Stotts can adjust his rotation to feature Leonard against some of the Grizzlies' bulkier bigs, the threat of his outside shooting could free up the middle for the Blazers' offense.


Defensively, Stotts said, the Blazers must control the ball better, particularly on the perimeter, where Conley and Beno Udrih repeatedly torched them. Conley's speed and floor command allowed the Grizzlies to dictate the game's tempo and Udrih surprisingly ran wild, recording 20 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. The Blazers 2013-14 bugaboo -- transition defense -- also resurfaced, as the Grizzlies scored 20 points off turnovers and racked up 15 fast-break points, converting 6 of 7 chances.


As Stotts and the Blazers work to resolve these issues, the Grizzlies are scheming themselves. And they say they will be ready for whatever wrinkles come their way.


"They're a well-coached team and they are going to come with something different," Conley said. "We've got to be prepared for it. Obviously today we're in here trying to think of what they might do, whether it's double teams or different schemes offensively. You try to be ready for anything. We've had a lot of things thrown at us ... so we're ready for anything."

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