TEAM RECORDS: Memphis Grizzlies (41-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (40-26)
SEASON SERIES: Los Angeles Clippers (2-1)
RECORD OVER LAST 10 GAMES: Memphis Grizzlies (8-2) vs Los Angeles Clippers (6-4)
KEY MATCHUP: Zach Randolph/Marc Gasol vs Blake Griffin
PREVIEW
You can pretty much flip a coin on this one as this is about the only first round series that could realistically go either way.
No one is sleeping on the Memphis Grizzlies anymore. After shocking the #1 seeded San Antonio Spurs in the first round of last years playoffs and pushing the Thunder to the brink in the conference semi-finals, the expectations in Memphis are at an all-time high.
After starting the season 14-14, the Grizzlies got back on track and won 20 of their next 29 after getting star Zach Randolph back from injury and shoring up their defense with young power forward Marreese Speights.
This season should be considered a success for the “other” team from Los Angeles after qualifying for the playoffs for just the sixth time in franchise history. With Chris Paul ready to lead this team in the postseason and Blake Griffin emerging as the next big star in the NBA, the Clippers are poised to shock a few more skeptics in this years playoffs.
The only problem is that the confidence of L.A must not be very high at the moment. All they had to do was win 2 of their last 4 to clinch home-court in the first round. Instead, they lost 3 of 4 and Memphis won 6 straight to steal that advantage away from them.
Home-court could be the deciding factor in this series. The home team won every meeting between the Grizzlies and Clippers during the regular season. Memphis has also yet to lose a home game since March 18 and is winners of 10 straight at the Fed-ex Forum.
THE GRIZZLIES WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF they run their offense through Gasol and Randolph. Last years playoffs was proof enough that when the Grizzlies run the ball through their bigs, great things happen. I expect to see Memphis run a lot of plays in the paint and get their big front court duo some easy baskets early on in games.
THE CLIPPERS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IF Chris Paul can get the best production out of his teammates. CP3 is the best player in this entire series and has the ability to make his teammates step up their game when need be. I would think that Paul isn’t willing to duplicate his experiences in New Orleans and have to handle the scoring load on his own. Blake Griffin will get his opportunities, but now’s the time for DeAndre Jordan, Randy Foye and Nick Young to prove their worth to this basketball team when the big lights are on.
FUN FACT: The Memphis Grizzlies are 23-9 when Rudy Gay scores 20 or more points.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Game 1 – Sun. April 29, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 2 – Wed. May 2, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Sat. May 5, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 4 – Mon. May 7, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 5 * Wed. May 9, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
Game 6 * Fri. May 11, Memphis at L.A. Clippers, TBD
Game 7 * Sun. May 13, L.A. Clippers at Memphis, TBD
FINAL STAFF PREDICTIONS
Editor Christopher Walder: Memphis Grizzlies in 7
Writer Jason Leung: Memphis Grizzlies in 7
Writer John Armstrong: Los Angeles Clippers in 7
Writer Joe Nardone: Memphis Grizzlies in 7
Writer Mike Owens: Memphis Grizzlies in 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdKf-2QoNXw
Christopher Walder is a sports blogger and lead editor for Sir Charles in Charge. You may follow him on Twitter @WalderSports