The Memphis Grizzlies held off a second-half comeback from the Portland Trail Blazers to win game three 115-109 and extend their lead in their first-round playoff series to 3-0.
Mike Conley got the visitors off to a strong start before being forced out with an injury, but Kosta Koufos and Jeff Green kept finding the basket to put Memphis 13 points ahead at half time.
LaMarcus Aldridge started chipping away at the lead with three early baskets in the third quarter, while Steve Blake left Portland just 10 adrift heading into the final 12 minutes.
Aldridge continued to find a way through in the fourth quarter to reduce the deficit further, before a Nicolas Batum effort left the Blazers just three points back, but Marc Gasol and Courtney Lee both added a series of late free throws to clinch the win.
Memphis will be able to clinch a place in the Western Conference semi-finals on Monday, when the two sides meet again in Portland.
