The Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzles play Sunday in the first round of the 2015 NBA playoffs. Game 1 tips off at 8 p.m. ET and can be live streamed via the links provided below.
The No. 5 Grizzlies head into the playoffs with a bit of uncertainty surrounding them. They started the season hot and occupied the West's No. 2 seed for much of the first part of the season. After the All-Star break in February, though, consistency became an issue for Memphis. Even Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger sounded uncertain what team of his he would see in the playoffs, questioning whether his squad can turn it back on when it matters the most.
"The thing about flipping switches is some people can do it, some people cannot," Joerger told the Associated Press. "But generally when you try to do it and do not have a consistency behind you, then it doesn't last very long. It can be short-lived."
Although the Grizzlies fell in the standings the fifth seed, center Marc Gasol doesn't seem to be paying it any mind.
"I'm happy how the team is and even though we've had a lot of ups and downs and adversity and things that didn't go our way, it's time to put all the negative stuff aside," Gasol said. "Try to be positive and get ready for a really tough playoff series."
Portland (51-31), meanwhile, has overcome a number of injuries to remain competitive in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The Trail Blazers claimed the West's fourth seed. After winning the Northwest Division title, but they start the postseason on the road because of Memphis' better record and the fact Memphis swept them during the regular season.
Despite not having won against Memphis this season, the Trail Blazers are confident in knowing the regular season doesn't mean anything once the playoffs start.
"Last year, Houston beat up on us during the regular season, 3-1," said Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard. "We got the best of them in the playoffs. We locked in and got it done. We got the best of San Antonio in the regular season. In the playoffs, we know what happened. Like I said, it's a completely different level of intensity and focus. Everything changes."
Watch the live stream HERE.
