Clippers at Grizzlies
The Los Angeles Clippers resume pursuit of a playoff spot when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday in their first contest since play began after the All-Star break. Los Angeles has possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference as it makes a two-game trip to Memphis and the Denver Nuggets.
The Clippers are planning to again start a rookie backcourt of Shea Gilgeous-Alexander and Landry Shamet as the latter was recently acquired in the deal that sent forward Tobias Harris to the Philadelphia 76ers. "Youth is not an excuse and that's what we are telling our guys," Rivers told reporters. Memphis also is in transition mode after dealing franchise icon Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors and point guard Mike Conley sees the situation as a positive. "I told the guys that this is like a new season for all of us," Conley told reporters. "And it's not just including our new guys. For me, for everybody that's been here throughout the season. We're having to re-teach, relearn, refocus and kind of start that process all over again."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), FS Southeast (Memphis)
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (32-27): The playoff race in the West is jumbled up as Los Angeles has room to move up but also has the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers in pursuit. "Our mindset doesn't change," Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "Still trying to be a higher seed in the playoffs than we're in right now." Sixth man Lou Williams was superb prior to the break by averaging 37.5 points on 25-of-41 shooting over the past two games and he has scored at least 30 points in five of the past 11 games.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (23-36): Veteran small forward Chandler Parsons (knee) practiced on Thursday and will be back in the rotation after earlier coming to a standstill with the organization when the team wanted him to go to the G-League. Memphis was unable to move the 30-year-old Parsons before the trading deadline and now he will test his balky knee over the final 23 games of the season. "For me, it's always been health," Parsons told reporters. "If I'm healthy, I can play. If I'm not, I'm not very good. I think that's it for me. If I can find ways to stay healthy and stay on the floor, I can find ways to help this team win, make shots, play-make and do what I do. But that's up to (coach) J.B. (Bickerstaff). I'm just here to help any way I can."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The teams split two meetings earlier this season but the Clippers have won 10 of the past 15 meetings.
2. Memphis SG Avery Bradley averaged 24 points over the past two games - he was acquired at the trading deadline from the Clippers for F JaMychal Green and G Garrett Temple.
3. Los Angeles SF Wilson Chandler (quadriceps) and PF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (knee) didn't make the trip.