Grizzlies at Clippers
THE STORY: While the Memphis Grizzlies will be in the playoffs, they still have something to play for in Wednesday's game at the Staples Center.The Grizzlies, who lost to Portland on Tuesday, can grab the seventh seed in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Clippers are in their usual end-of-season mode in which they have nothing to play for; Los Angeles will miss the playoffs for the fifth straight season, despite having Blake Griffin, who is a potential lock to win the Rookie of the Year Award.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (31-50): Not only have the Clippers not made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, Saturday's defeat by Houston assured them of losing at least 50 games for the fourth straight season. Los Angeles seems to be finishing on a low note. The Clippers have lost three in a row and five of seven. Griffin has been magnificent, averaging 22.4 points and 12.1 rebounds while showing no signs of the devastating leg injury that forced him to miss all of last season. Griffin has appeared in all 81 games and has averaged 37.9 minutes. Guard Eric Gordon, who averages 22.2 points, gives the Clippers another building block. Center Chris Kaman, who has appeared in only 32 games, has a sprained right knee.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (46-35): Memphis' chance to finish sixth in the West ended with Tuesday's loss in Portland. The Grizzlies are tied with New Orleans for the seventh spot. Memphis must beat the Clippers and hope the Hornets lose to Dallas to win the No. 7 seed. Should the Grizzlies end up as the eighth seed, they will play San Antonio in the first round. Despite losing to Portland, Memphis has won nine of 12. Zach Randolph and Tony Allen sat out Tuesday's game. Judging by what coach Lionel Hollins said, it appears unlikely either will play against the Clippers. Hollins wants Randolph, who leads the team in scoring (20.1) and rebounding (12.2), to rest a sore elbow while Allen has a sore knee.
WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Mike Conley scored 17 points in Tuesday's loss to Portland. Griffin is averaging 24.4 points in his last 10 games.
KEY STATISTIC: The Grizzlies are 15-9 since Rudy Gay, their second-leading scorer, suffered a season-ending shoulder injury on Feb. 15.
SEASON SERIES: The Grizzlies have won two of the three games. The Clippers' only victory was a surprising 82-81 win in Memphis on April 5. Compared to the rest of the league, the Grizzlies have done reasonably well controlling Griffin, who is averaging 14.1 points and 11.3 rebounds against Memphis.
KEY INJURIES: MEMPHIS: G Xavier Henry (knee). LOS ANGELES: C Chris Kaman (knee); G Eric Bledsoe (ankle): F Ryan Gomes (knee).
LAST WORD: The Grizzlies will be heavy underdogs in the first round of the playoffs, but Randolph's play and the toughness they have shown without Gay will make them a difficult opponent.