PORTLAND, Ore. (April 21, 2015) – With a Northwest Division-winning regular season now behind them, the Portland Trail Blazers roll into the NBA Playoffs with plans specifically set for upcoming home postseason games. Fans coming to Moda Center and the Rose Quarter will experience activations they can literally see, hear, feel and taste. Moda and local Portland Metro Toyota Dealers are the presenting postseason sponsors of the Trail Blazers. Seeded fourth in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers have opened the playoffs on the road against the fifth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. After the Trail Blazers fell to the Grizzlies 100-86 in Game 1 on Sunday, Game 2 will tip at Memphis’s FedExForum this Wednesday, April 22 at 5 p.m. (PDT). Buffalo Wild Wings Lloyd Center location is the official site for Round 1 viewing parties. The series then shifts home to Portland and Moda Center for Games 3 and 4 – Saturday, April 25 and Monday, April 27, both starting at 7:30 p.m. (PDT). All first-round games are being televised by KGW Channel 8 along the Trail Blazers Television Network, and broadcasted by Rip City Radio 620-AM (KPOJ). In celebration of the Trail Blazers playoff berth, doors to Moda Center will open two hours before each tip-off instead of the normal 90 minutes. Rose Quarter restaurant Dr. Jack’s will be the perfect pregame location, opening at 3 p.m. before each home playoff game. Tickets for the Trail Blazers home playoff games against Memphis are available at trailblazers.com, Ticketmaster, Rose Quarter Box Office (M-F, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or by calling (844) RIP CITY. The NBA Playoffs bring an increase in ticket fraud on the secondary market. Fans are encouraged to protect themselves by purchasing tickets directly from the team website or box office. “Throughout the regular season, Trail Blazers fans were once again the most passionate and supportive fans in the NBA,” said Chris McGowan, Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter President & CEO. “We want to show appreciation to our fans for all they’ve given our franchise. That’s why we create new ideas, visuals, offers and experiences specifically for the NBA Playoffs. It gets Rip City excited about the postseason, but also lets us say thank you.” Fans should be in their seats early for a pregame show and Trail Blazers player introductions using new graphics, music and video. All fans in attendance will receive free red glow sticks and 2015 Playoffs t-shirts, courtesy of Moda and your local Toyota dealers. Outside Moda Center, activities in the Rose Quarter Commons will include playoff game ticket giveaways and free prizes, plus: New NBA Playoffs merchandise featuring Trail Blazers postseason t-shirts blending popular culture with the passion of Rip City. The Trail Blazers Fan Shop will hold regular hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday on non-game days. Portland’s iHeartRadio stations playing music during multiple live broadcasts with popular DJs on the Rose Quarter Commons, and live music from local bands appearing on-stage featuring Dirty Revival (April 25) and Hit Machine (April 27). Appearances by “Blaze” the Trail Cat along with BlazerDancers and Trail Blazers Stunt Team, surrounded by interactive inflatables, face painters, basketball hoops and other activities in a special Kids Zone. The make it better Rip City 5050 Raffle in partnership with the Safeway Foundation continues into the playoffs. Just as it was throughout the regular season, one lucky fan with the winning ticket will take home 50% of the net proceeds for that game if their number is announced in the fourth quarter. The other 50% will be split between the Trail Blazers Foundation and local Portland nonprofits – Open Meadow (Game 3), Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro (Game 4) and AC Portland (Game 6, if necessary). A transformed official team website, www.trailblazers.com/playoffs, loaded with exclusive NBA Playoffs content, player interviews, photos, statistics, video highlights and more. The Trail Blazers will activate a series of physical education and art class takeovers at schools around the city. The schedule includes Brown Middle School (April 23) and Alameda Elementary School (April 24). Levy Restaurants, food and beverage partner for the Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter, will unveil new food offerings, a signature cocktail and specialty cuisine prepared by guest chefs from Portland’s award-winning food scene. Among the items offered will be the new Maple Bacon PB&J Hotdog. Premium ticket holders with access to the Courtside Club can enjoy menu items prepared especially for the NBA Playoffs by the chefs from Lardo (Game 3) and The Fields Bar and Grill (Game 4). Dr. Jack’s will be the source of a new postseason beverage dubbed the “Rip City Cocktail.”
