The Memphis Grizzlies never trailed in their convincing 100-86 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on the second night of the NBA playoffs yesterday.
In the Western Conference's fourth-versus-fifth matchup, the Grizzlies have homecourt advantage because of their better regular-season record, even though Portland claimed the fourth seed for being the Northwest division winners.
Memphis made that advantage pay with a dominant display at FedExForum, despite starting point-guard Mike Conley dealing with a foot injury.
His back-up Beno Udrih stepped up with 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, hitting his first six shots of the contest and finishing with 9-14 shooting.
Portland's star duo of LaMarcus Aldridge (13-34) and Damian Lillard (5-21) both struggled against Memphis's defence.
The Blazers will hope to level the series in game two, also in Memphis, on Wednesday night.
Pascal Lemesre
