After two wins at home, the first round series is tied at 2 games apiece. The usual cliches about "it's now a best-of-three" do apply, and the Clippers still hold home court advantage. So, if the Grizzlies want to advance, they must one one game in L.A. Why not Tuesday night's contest?
Los Angeles is going to come out like a caged tiger, wanting to burst free. They'll force tempo, even at the cost of taking some wacky shots. They want the crowd on its' collective feet, but the team will have to force the spectacular to get the crowd engaged. That anxiousness will allow Memphis to stay in the game.
For Memphis, they'll have to take the home team execution on the road. Move the ball via the pass, not by over-dribbling. Continue the rough stuff in the post. The Grizzlies have to hold the Clippers to 10 or less second-chance points. Memphis must stay below 10 turnovers. Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen have to contribute offensively, in addition to their stellar defense. Memphis' other starters (Randolph, Gasol and Conley) must be efficient with the basketball, shooting a 50% or more as a group & assisting on each other's baskets. Conley must have as many or more assists as field goal attempts again.
I'm rooting for my team to win. Make no doubt about it. But, in this series the Clippers average 102.5 at home, while Memphis has scored 91 in each road loss.
My guess, Los Angeles 104, Memphis 102 in overtime. The Clippers' starters who combined for 2 points in Game 4 (Billups, Butler and Jordan) will look for early offense, to prove a point. They'll get it. The two teams will fight back and forth all evening. Chris Paul will prove yet again to be one of the Association's best "closers", making plays to tie the game at the end of regulation and win the game at the end of overtime.
(Well) After the Game: Memphis 103, Los Angeles 93. Wow, again I am truly surprised. I am so close to going "total fanboy" and start gushing about how my favorite team is the best ever!
Anyway, after a deep breath or two, the Grizz played well on the road against a good team. Sure, Blake Griffin's high ankle sprain in a Monday practice depleted the Clippers, but you play with the guys you have.
For Memphis, it was 37 field goals, 42 rebounds, 19/7 assist/turnover and 7 steals. Three Memphis starters had 20+ points (Randolph with 25, Gasol with 21 and Conley with 20). Randolph had 11 rebs, Gasol had 8 rebs and 4 assists, and Conley had 6 assists. Prince added 15 points and good help defense.
The Clippers had 34 field goals, 40 rebounds, 19/13 assist/turnover and 6 assists. Chris Paul had a playoff-career-high 35, Crawford came off the bench to add 15, but no other Clipper scored in double figures. Griffin only played 19 minutes (4 points, 5 rebs, 5 assists). They need him making plays on Friday night, for sure.
Memphis won the second quarter by 8 (28-20), to forge a 54-48 lead. That, coupled with Griffin's injury and ineffectiveness, took a lot of energy out the home crowd & the Clippers on the floor.
Memphis is up 3 games to 2, and Game 6 is in Memphis. Can the Grizzlies avoid a letdown, start the game with a great deal of urgency, and keep the pressure on the Clippers for 48 minutes? I sure hope so.
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