The Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies are all even at 1-1 after 2 games in Memphis. The series moves to LA for Game 3 on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:30 EST and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN. The Clippers pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks in playoff history, fighting back from 27-points down to win Game 1 99-98. The Grizzlies managed to bounce back from that heartbreaking loss by holding on for a 105-98 win in Game 2. They have still got some work to do in order to make up for that loss in Game 1. Memphis will need to win at least one game in Los Angeles to take back home-court advantage and avoid returning home down 3-1.
The Clippers are favored by 3-points with the total set at 202.5. Get the latest on this series by clicking here.
Memphis
There's no doubt the Grizzlies feel like they should be leading this series 2-0, but there's nothing they can do about what occurred in Game 1. There was a lot of pressure on the Grizzlies to win Game 2, as teams rarely go on to win the series after falling behind 0-2 after playing the first two on their home floor. Will they have a let down in Game 3 knowing they just have to win one of the next two games, or will they take back control of the series?
If I was Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, I would be telling my team to do whatever is needed to win Game 3. The Grizzlies enough trouble winning on the road as it is. They went just 15-18 away from home during the regular season. The last thing you want to do is let Los Angeles get back the momentum with a win and go into Game 4 with the chance to go up 3-1.
For the Grizzlies to win Game 3, they must continue to play physical and really get in the face of the Clippers on the defensive end. They have done an excellent job of really making Los Angeles work for everything they get offensively.
The other thing that has to happen, is the Grizzlies need to get another strong performance out of Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay. When these 2 have it going like they did in Game 2, it makes it that much easier for everybody else to get . O.J. Mayo played a massive role in Game 2, scoring 20 points in just 24 minutes off the bench. The big question I have, is whether or not those shots will continue to fall on the road? Another big time performance from Mayo, just might be what Memphis needs to get a win on the road.
Los Angeles
The Clippers unbelievable comeback win in Game 1, won't mean as much if they aren't able to hold serve at home. A loss on their home floor, would force the Clippers to win at least one more at Memphis. I personally don't think Los Angeles will be able to take another game on the road. The series may very well be decided over the following 2 games.
While Memphis has had their struggles playing away from home, L. A. was pretty impressive at home during the regular season. The Clippers come in 24-9 at the Staples Center and should really feed off the home crowd.
Coach Vinny Del Negro has to wishing that a return home will give some life to his role players. In the Clippers Game 2 loss, Chris Paul put up 29 points with 6 assists and 5 steals, while Blake Griffin added 22 points and 9 rebounds. The two combined to go 19 for 37 from the field. No other starter had more than six points, as it was pretty obvious the Clippers definitely missed Caron Butler. Between Randy Foye, Nick Young, Mo Williams, and Eric Bledsoe, someone has to step up and have a strong game offensively.
Making shots wasn't precisely an issue for the Clippers in that game. LA shot an amazing 56.7% from the field. To lose a game when you shoot that well from the field, you have got to do a lot of other things poorly. You don't have to look hard to see what happened. The Clippers turned the ball of 20 times, were outrebounded 37-28, and were dominated from the free throw line. Memphis was 31 of 39 from the charity line, while the Clippers went just 13 of 18. If they can make some big improvements in those 3 categories, they should be in pretty good shape to win Game 3.
The Clippers are favored by 3-points with the total set at 202.5. Get the latest on this series by clicking here.
Memphis
There's no doubt the Grizzlies feel like they should be leading this series 2-0, but there's nothing they can do about what occurred in Game 1. There was a lot of pressure on the Grizzlies to win Game 2, as teams rarely go on to win the series after falling behind 0-2 after playing the first two on their home floor. Will they have a let down in Game 3 knowing they just have to win one of the next two games, or will they take back control of the series?
If I was Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins, I would be telling my team to do whatever is needed to win Game 3. The Grizzlies enough trouble winning on the road as it is. They went just 15-18 away from home during the regular season. The last thing you want to do is let Los Angeles get back the momentum with a win and go into Game 4 with the chance to go up 3-1.
For the Grizzlies to win Game 3, they must continue to play physical and really get in the face of the Clippers on the defensive end. They have done an excellent job of really making Los Angeles work for everything they get offensively.
The other thing that has to happen, is the Grizzlies need to get another strong performance out of Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay. When these 2 have it going like they did in Game 2, it makes it that much easier for everybody else to get . O.J. Mayo played a massive role in Game 2, scoring 20 points in just 24 minutes off the bench. The big question I have, is whether or not those shots will continue to fall on the road? Another big time performance from Mayo, just might be what Memphis needs to get a win on the road.
Los Angeles
The Clippers unbelievable comeback win in Game 1, won't mean as much if they aren't able to hold serve at home. A loss on their home floor, would force the Clippers to win at least one more at Memphis. I personally don't think Los Angeles will be able to take another game on the road. The series may very well be decided over the following 2 games.
While Memphis has had their struggles playing away from home, L. A. was pretty impressive at home during the regular season. The Clippers come in 24-9 at the Staples Center and should really feed off the home crowd.
Coach Vinny Del Negro has to wishing that a return home will give some life to his role players. In the Clippers Game 2 loss, Chris Paul put up 29 points with 6 assists and 5 steals, while Blake Griffin added 22 points and 9 rebounds. The two combined to go 19 for 37 from the field. No other starter had more than six points, as it was pretty obvious the Clippers definitely missed Caron Butler. Between Randy Foye, Nick Young, Mo Williams, and Eric Bledsoe, someone has to step up and have a strong game offensively.
Making shots wasn't precisely an issue for the Clippers in that game. LA shot an amazing 56.7% from the field. To lose a game when you shoot that well from the field, you have got to do a lot of other things poorly. You don't have to look hard to see what happened. The Clippers turned the ball of 20 times, were outrebounded 37-28, and were dominated from the free throw line. Memphis was 31 of 39 from the charity line, while the Clippers went just 13 of 18. If they can make some big improvements in those 3 categories, they should be in pretty good shape to win Game 3.
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