Playoff seeding in the Western Conference gets a bit tighter after every game. That, coupled with another back-to-back for both the Clippers and the Grizzlies, make Saturday's game potentially chippy. Both teams tired, both teams wrestling for playoff positioning. I expect some cheap shots on top of the trash talk.
The Clippers have won their last 4 games, and have already clinched the Pacific Division. Friday night, Los Angeles won at New Orleans 96-93, with the Clippers scoring 39 in the fourth quarter. Chris Paul picked up 14 assists while scoring 17. Griffin got 20, Barnes scored 16 (with 10 rebs) and Crawford scored 15.
The Clippers normally like to run & score a bunch, but how will their legs hold up after playing the night before? The Hornets were competitive, as usual. A hard-fought game the night before may take a little out of the Clippers for this game.
I expect the Grizzlies to try to rough up Griffin, as usual. If he wants to do his high-wire act, he'll pay for it with a bruise or two. I also expect Paul to attempt intimidation tactics against Conley, who's been scoring a bunch lately. Bayless versus Crawford, in a battle of bench shooters, may look like a one-on-one battle at times.
My guess: Memphis 89, Clippers 88. Bad blood all around. A near-sellout crowd yelling invective at the visiting team, with a bunch of "Beat L.A." chants and whatnot added. For Memphis, Gasol, Conley and Arthur need to play well. Bayless must be effective in his shot-to-playmaking ratio.
As it's been stated all season, my guesses aren't for gaming purposes. Look back on my record - I don't want your losses on my conscience.
After the Game: Clippers 91, Grizzlies 87. It's all but confirmed - Memphis is the 5-seed in the Western Conference, where they'll meet these same Clippers in the first round. L.A. has home court in this series.
Memphis led 73-68 after three quarters. Bad 4th quarter shot selection and a propensity to allow offensive rebounds/extra possessions to the Clippers doomed the Memphis effort.
For most of the game, Memphis played well enough to win. A 4th quarter cold spell (they went what, 5/14 or worse in the 4th?) killed their momentum and frustrated the sell-out crowd.
Memphis had 34 field goals, 19 assists, 10 turnovers and 6 steals. Four starters scored in double figures - Gasol (18, with 15 rebs and a team-high 7 assists); Randolph (16, with 12 rebs); Prince (13 points); and Conley (12, with 6 assists). They've won with similar stats recently, but not Saturday. Bayless scored 8, but was 3/10 FG/A. He did add one assist.
For the Clippers, it was 37 field goals, 18 assists, 7 turnovers and 9 steals. They also had four starters in double figures, led by DeAndre Jordan's 16 and 12 rebs. All his points came in the first half, however. Interesting. The Clippers' bench was productive and aggressive.
L.A. is a good team, and obviously they've earned home court for the first round. They won the season series against Memphis, 3 wins to 1 for the Grizzlies.
The Clippers are at home against Portland on Tuesday night, then finish the regular season at Sacramento on Wednesday night. Does anyone think L.A. will lose both games?
Memphis is at Dallas Monday night, then the home finale against Utah on Wednesday night. Does anyone think Memphis will win both games?
For Memphis to get back 4th seed, they must win one more game of the last two than the Clippers do. It's not impossible, but it's highly improbable at this point.
And, with all my naysaying, this is still the best Grizzlies' regular season ever. Will that translate into playoff success? Only God knows.
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