Memphis Grizzlies hoping to stay alive in the playoffs; Await the Los Angeles Clippers for Game 5 at the FedEx Forum
Memphis Grizzlies host Game 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers at the FedEx Forum Arena on Wednesday night. Grizzlies currently find themselves trailing 1-3 in the series and will look to extend their post season
campaign by winning this game, forcing a Game 6, and sending the series back to L.A.
It has been and intense series so far with brutal physical matchups being played out throughout the series on both ends of the court. However, what the Grizzlies have suffered is a huge blow, having lost two
games with a difference of 1 point, the first one being an historic comeback win for the Clips.
In their last outing, Clippers had to use a brilliant performance by Chris Paul in the extra period. CP3 recorded 8 points in that frame before finishing off with a total of 27 points, helping his team snatch
a 101-97 win in overtime.
Grizzlies have been unable to stop Paul throughout the series and if they want their chances to increase of staying alive in the playoffs, the likes of Mike Conley will have to step their game up on the defensive
end and to limit the amount of influence, Paul has on the game.
Head Coach, Lionel Hollins of the Grizzlies has labelled Paul as a “great player”.
"He's a great player and that's what great players do." – Hollins
For the Grizzlies, it is a do or die situation from here on, considering the fact one more loss can send them packing from the playoffs. After having such a great regular season, it will be a huge setback.
Conley who had a team high 23 points in the last game, contemplated on the importance of Game 5;
"It could be the last game for us; we’ve got to give everything we got regardless if guys are happy, if guys are not. You have got to play for one another and understand that winning is all that matters at this
point. It doesn't matter how we do it. It doesn't matter who steps up or who doesn't. We have to win."
Playing away from home does work against you but in a close-out game like this, the pressure is even greater. The Clippers will have to be aware of that fact. Even though the Grizzlies have also enjoyed playoff
success in the past, however, they would have never expected to find themselves down 1-3, facing the brink of elimination.
If one looks at the bigger picture, Memphis have to blame themselves.
The likes of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph who were at the forefront of the playoff run last year, have not been that influential and if the Grizzlies want to stay alive this time around, they will need the twin
towers to be firing on all cylinders.
Taking it one step at a time is the kind of approach; Hollins is going to be focussing on at the moment and will look to get the best out of his players.
"We have to win one game, that's the game here at home before us and that's basically all we can worry about".
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