Grizzlies at Clippers
THE STORY: While the "eye test" says the Memphis Grizzlies have been the better team, the Los Angeles Clippers aren't buying it. An inability to protect fourth-quarter leads has resulted in two one-point losses and left the Grizzlies staring at a 2-1 series deficit entering Game 4 Monday night in Los Angeles. Though it was not on the magnitude of the stunning 27-point comeback in Game 1, the Clippers erased a seven-point fourth-quarter lead Saturday by holding Memphis without a field goal for seven minutes.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Marc Gasol's stat line in Game 3 (11 points, 10 rebounds) suggests a solid performance, but the 7-foot-1 center attempted only five shots – his second-lowest total of the season. Memphis appeared in control after Gasol's lone fourth-quarter shot provided a six-point edge with 7:11 to play, but its next field goal came with 13 seconds left. Facing a Clippers front line that is underwhelming physically, the Grizzlies know they need to do a better job of exploiting Gasol's size advantage. "We've got to get big fella the ball and just play," said forward Zach Randolph, who scored 17 points – his second-highest point total since returning from a knee injury in mid-March.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Forward Caron Butler made a surprise return to the lineup after he was expected to be out four to six weeks with a broken hand suffered in the series opener. While his teammates said Butler provided an emotional lift, guard Randy Foye offered a more tangible asset by banging home four 3-pointers and scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He nailed the biggest shot of the game with a trey that tied it at 80-80. "Randy has ice in his veins," teammate Eric Bledsoe said. It helped make up for the ice-cold touch of Bledsoe and his teammates, who had a nightmarish performance at the free throw line, including 3 of 9 in the fourth quarter.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. In a seven-game series, the team that prevails in Game 3 has gone on to win 82 percent of the time.
2. Los Angeles was 13 of 30 at the foul line. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that's the worst free-throw percentage in postseason history with a minimum of 30 attempts
3. After erupting for 20 points in Game 2, Memphis sixth man O.J. Mayo committed five turnovers and scored six points on 1-for-8 shooting Saturday.