Los Angeles Clippers take on the Memphis Grizzlies in a possible 1st round playoff preview – NBA
The Los Angeles Clippers travel to Memphis to take on the Memphis Grizzlies at the FedExForum on Monday.
The Clippers, ranked 4th in the West, are two wins ahead of Memphis at present and many analysts are already predicting a first round playoff clash between the two teams. If the playoffs started today, that would indeed be the case.
This game is important for both teams as they head towards the end of the regular season. The Clippers are only 1 win behind of the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference and a triumph at Memphis could see them climb to 3rd place. The Grizzlies on the other hand, are only 1 win clear of 6th place Houston Rockets and a poor stretch could easily see them lose their position in the conference.
A win however would edge them closer to the Clippers, whom they could displace to earn home court advantage in their first round playoff series.
Memphis come into this match 5-1 in their last 6 games, including wins against NBA Finalists Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and against the Oklahoma City Thunder. They seem to be on a roll, but will be up against a side that is also red hot at the moment, winners of 8 of their last 9 games.
Both teams have gone head to head twice this season, with both games taking place at Los Angeles. The Clippers came out on top in both, winning by 98-91 in the 26th January game, and 101-85 in the 24th March fixture.
Against each other this season, the Clippers are averaging 36.5 rebounds compared to 39.5 by Memphis, 24 to 22 on assists and 14.5 to 17 on turnovers respectively.
In both games, Blake Griffin has been the difference for the Clippers. He is averaging 20 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and has a shooting percentage of 61% from the field.
Chris Paul also has been impressive, averaging 18.5 points and 10 assists against the Grizzlies this season. Also, Paul is 17 of 20 from the free throw line in both games combined, an impressive number and come Monday night in the round three of this regular season series, Griffin and Paul will be crucial for the Clippers.
Griffin is averaging 18.6 points and 12.3 rebounds in his last 3 games. In the Clippers April 7th win over Sacramento Kings; Griffin had 27 points for the night. Chris Paul has also been on song, averaging 18 points and 13 assists in his last 3 appearance for the Clippers.
Rudy g*y was impressive for Memphis in the 26th January loss to the Clippers. He scored 24 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Marc Gasol added 18. The Clippers shot well from the foul line in both games but failed to make any mark offensively, with all their main players contained well by the Clippers defense. The Grizzlies shot a combined 39% from the field in both games.
For Memphis, Marc Gasol will also be crucial. He is averaging 9.7 points 8.7 rebounds in his last 3 games. O.J. Mayo is a great asset for Memphis coming off the bench, averaging 11 points and 4.4 assists in his previous 3 appearances. If he and Gilbert Arenas can match Randy Foye and the long range shooting arsenal of the Clips, the playing field will get even.
The Clippers seemed to have all the answers against their previous two encounters with Memphis this season. However, the Grizzlies are a different team at this moment, playing with aggression and motivation. It will definitely be a great match up between these two teams.
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