Clippers at Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have no margin for error entering Thursday’s Game 3 of their first-round Western Conference series with the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Memphis is in an 0-2 hole and has lost its last three home contests against the Clippers. The Grizzlies won a franchise-record 32 home games but Los Angeles is streaking with nine consecutive victories after recording a 93-91 victory in Monday’s Game 2 on Chris Paul’s driving bank shot with one-tenth of a second remaining.
The Clippers ousted the Grizzlies from last season’s playoffs and can close in on doing so again with a third straight win in the series. “We’ve had success in Memphis,” Los Angeles coach Vinny Del Negro said. “We’re going there with the right mindset but we have to execute better than we did (Monday), especially on the defensive end.” The Grizzlies are taking the position that the series can be evened up now that the scene has shifted to Memphis. “We’ve got to come here and take care of business,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “We have two games at home. We almost got one out in L.A. but it wasn’t to be. We have to come home and try to win two and hold court.”
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), SportSouth (Memphis)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Paul is in the running for Most Valuable Player honors and he again displayed why with his Game 2 heroics. He was able to shed defensive standout Tony Allen to sink the game-winning hoop and cap a 24-point effort. “Not all great players are clutch,” Los Angeles guard Chauncey Billups said. “But Chris has proven to be one of the best clutch players in the game. Anytime we get in those positions, he’s our closer.” Paul is averaging 23.5 points, eight assists and shooting 57.1 percent from the field. Forward Blake Griffin bounced back with 21 points in Game 2 after struggling to 10 points in the opener.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Center Marc Gasol was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Wednesday. The 7-foot-1 Gasol averaged 1.7 blocks and one steal during the regular season as Memphis allowed a league-low 88.7 points per game. The Grizzlies are allowing 102.5 through two games against the Clippers and are aiming to reduce that figure. Gasol is averaging 16.5 points but just 4.5 rebounds in the series. Point guard Mike Conley had 28 points and nine assists in Game 2 and is averaging 20 points and seven assists. Power forward Zach Randolph is averaging 13 points and six rebounds and has been a relative non-factor.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Los Angeles has won six of its last seven games against Memphis, counting the regular season and postseason.
2. The Grizzlies are 7-for-23 from 3-point range in the series.
3. Clippers backup PG Eric Bledsoe is averaging 11.5 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the series.