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'd be telling my team to do whatever is required to win Game 3. Memphis has enough difficulty winning on the road as it is. They went just 15-18 away from home in the regular season. The last thing you need to do is let the Clippers get back the momentum with a win and go into Game 4 with the potential to go up 3-1.
For Memphis to win Game 3, they must continue to play physical and really lockdown defensively. They have done a fine job of really making L. A. 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 the Grizzlies have had their struggles on the road, Los Angeles was pretty impressive on their home court in the regular season. The Clippers finished up 24-9 at the Staples Center and you can bet that place will be electric on Saturday.
Coach Vinny Del Negro has to praying 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 evident the Clippers really missed Caron Butler. Between Randy Foye, Nick Young, Mo Williams, and Eric Bledsoe, someone has to step up and have a big game offensively.
Making shots wasn't exactly a difficulty for Los Angeles in Game 2. L. A. shot a ridiculous 56.7% from the field. In order to lose a game when you shoot that well from the field, you've got to do lots of other things poorly. You don't have to look hard to see what occurred. Los Angeles turned the ball of 20 times, were outrebounded 37-28, and were killed from the free throw line. The Grizzlies shot 31 of 39 from the charity line, while the Clippers went just 13 of 18. If they can make some large improvements in those three areas, they should come out on top in 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'd be telling my team to do whatever is required to win Game 3. Memphis has enough difficulty winning on the road as it is. They went just 15-18 away from home in the regular season. The last thing you need to do is let the Clippers get back the momentum with a win and go into Game 4 with the potential to go up 3-1.
For Memphis to win Game 3, they must continue to play physical and really lockdown defensively. They have done a fine job of really making L. A. 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 the Grizzlies have had their struggles on the road, Los Angeles was pretty impressive on their home court in the regular season. The Clippers finished up 24-9 at the Staples Center and you can bet that place will be electric on Saturday.
Coach Vinny Del Negro has to praying 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 evident the Clippers really missed Caron Butler. Between Randy Foye, Nick Young, Mo Williams, and Eric Bledsoe, someone has to step up and have a big game offensively.
Making shots wasn't exactly a difficulty for Los Angeles in Game 2. L. A. shot a ridiculous 56.7% from the field. In order to lose a game when you shoot that well from the field, you've got to do lots of other things poorly. You don't have to look hard to see what occurred. Los Angeles turned the ball of 20 times, were outrebounded 37-28, and were killed from the free throw line. The Grizzlies shot 31 of 39 from the charity line, while the Clippers went just 13 of 18. If they can make some large improvements in those three areas, they should come out on top in Game 3.
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