Clips Nation - Clippers-Grizzlies game coverage: Start of a tough tripWhat it do babyyyhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47967/clipsnation_fave.png2014-02-21T21:03:27-08:00http://www.clipsnation.com/rss/stream/51989432014-02-21T21:03:27-08:002014-02-21T21:03:27-08:00Clippers lose tough one to Grizzlies, 102-96
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/q6UdX7fmzHBNnMGIOgEh_tpdT54=/530x45:3285x1882/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/29000737/20140221_ads_fb1_094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers shot 40% from the field, 30% from deep and missed 16 free throws, and yet somehow they still had a chance in the final 90 seconds in Memphis before falling.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> shot under 40% from the field, under 30% from beyond the three point line, and missed 16 free throws. Given those facts, the question is not why did they lose, so much as how were they within two points twice in the final 90 seconds. And although they had a chance to beat the dreaded <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> in Memphis, they couldn't get the last crucial stop they needed, and lost for the second straight time since the All Star break.</p>
<p>Even in the first quarter, when things were going very well for the Clippers and they built a 27-21 lead, the seeds of trouble were being sown. <span>Blake Griffin</span> was unbelievably good, and the Clippers were getting some easy chances in transition, but nothing else that the Clippers needed to get a win in Memphis was working. They were 1-7 from three point range; not counting Griffin, who made three mid-range jumpers, they were 1-10 out of the paint. And lest you think it was just great perimeter defense forcing the Clippers to miss, on a single play <span>Darren Collison</span> had two looks at a corner three pointer all alone with all the time in the world -- he missed both, and that seemed to set the tone for the Clippers.</p>
<p>Games turn on funny plays, and this one turned in the second quarter with ten unlikely players on the court. The Clippers' anemic second unit (<span>J.J. Redick</span> needs to get healthy and <span>Glen Davis</span> needs to get signed really fast) managed to score four Collison free throws to open the quarter (four of the seven points the Clippers got off the bench in this game). On the next play, <span>Willie Green</span> got a steal, and for some reason decided to challenge <span>James Johnson</span> going in for a layup; Johnson didn't get a block, he got a volleyball kill. The loose ball wound up in a jump ball between <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> (6'10) and <span>Nick Calathes</span> (6'3); Turkoglu won the tap, but Green let <span>Tony Allen</span> get to the ball and the play wound up being a fast break layup for Allen. The combination of Johnson's block and Allen's hustle and layup turned the game completely on its ear and ignited a 23-7 Grizzlies run that turned an eight point Clippers lead into a six point deficit. Johnson, who the Grizzlies signed out of the D-League back in December, scored 13 points in the quarter, including a pass to himself off the backboard for a two-handed dunk. Yeah, that happened.</p>
<p>The Clippers managed to battle back in the third quarter. They took the lead briefly on a couple of occasions, and tied the game one last time at 68, but the subsequent possession was another one of those game-changers. On a completely broken possession in which the Clippers took away everything the Grizzlies tried to do, Allen was forced to shoot a double clutching three pointer at the shot clock buzzer. He made it. It was his sixth three pointer of the season, and he was 5-27 from deep coming into the game. They scored on another broken possession the next time down, took a five point lead into the fourth quarter and never trailed again.</p>
<p>For much of this game, the Grizzlies were not the team that we have feared; they did some things very well, but they just weren't that team. <span>Mike Conley</span> may still be hurting, but he was not particularly good, and was benched in favor of Calathes late. <span>Marc Gasol</span> likewise is hurting, and was good but not great. But Allen, in his first game in almost two months, was exactly the guy we know and loathe (and the guy who seems to make shots against the Clippers more so than against other teams-- he was 4-4 in this one); and when the game was on the line, the went to <span>Zach Randolph</span> over and over, and it paid off. The Grizzlies only had six offensive rebounds in the game, but they got two in the final minute to seal the game.</p>
<p>It's worth noting that there were three technical fouls called in this game, and I have no idea what anyone did to deserve any of them. The first, called against Blake Griffin early in the fourth quarter, was a blatantly incorrect call. After being whistled for traveling, Griffin's momentum took him into <span>Kosta Koufos</span> who lost his balance and fell backwards -- it was garden-variety contact that happens on every play in the NBA, absolutely nothing worth mentioning. The official <i>standing directly behind Koufos</i>, Ben Taylor, called a technical foul on Griffin, apparently assuming that Griffin had shoved Koufos -- which replays clearly showed he had not. There are many flavors of bad calls in the NBA, but this one may infuriate me more than any other, and it's astounding how frequently you see it: an official who clearly has no angle on a play, making a call based on an assumption. Both of the other two officials saw exactly what happened and made no call -- Taylor saw Koufas falling towards him, saw nothing from Griffin (because he could not have and also because Griffin did nothing) and called a technical foul. Maddening. The league will rescind the T, but that point might have been nice to have back during the game.</p>
<p>Later, with just over a minute left, as <span>Chris Paul</span> was waiting to shoot the second of two free throws, the whistle blew and a referee (I don't know which one) called a technical foul. Ralph and Mike thought the T was on <span>Courtney Lee</span> and that the Clippers would have the chance to cut the lead to one with the technical free throw; they were disappointed to learn that it was a double technical, resulting in no shots. During the broadcast we never heard who on the Clippers had been whistled. According to the box score, it was Paul. What? I went back and re-watched the sequence: Paul is the foul shooter, so he's on camera the entire time. After the first shot, he can be seen to be saying something to Lee in a wide shot. The camera then switches to a close up of Paul as he's getting ready to shoot the second free throw, and that's when the whistle blows. We can't see Lee at that point, so there's no way of knowing what he might have done or said -- but Paul was getting ready to shoot a free throw, looking at no one, saying nothing, when the foul was actually called. I have no clue whether Lee earned his T or not; as for Paul, he might have said something T-worthy about 10 seconds before the whistle blew, but why not call it then if it happened? I'm not sure how you can possibly call a delayed reaction double T in that manner.</p>
<p>Those were just a few of the bizarre whistles in the game. There was also the offensive foul on <span>Jamal Crawford</span> when <span>Mike Miller</span> appeared to grab him as Crawford ran past. (I rewatched that one several times, and Prime Ticket did not have the best angle to see what <i>might</i> have happened. The official was saying that Crawford grabbed Miller's arm as he was running past, to make it look as if Miller was holding him. It's possible the official got it right, and if he did, good for him. Because if Crawford did it, it was not at all obvious -- neither Prime Ticket replay caught it, though neither proves that he didn't do it either. Crawford was still talking to Miller about it several plays later, so it was pretty clear that he did not think he did anything wrong.) That was another HUGE play in the game, because instead of Crawford shooting two free throws with a chance to cut the lead to five, Miller made a three to stretch it back to 10.</p>
<p>The Clippers also benefited from a very questionable call late when Calathes appeared to pick Griffin clean after a rebound but was whistled for a foul. That call could have been a game-changer -- Griffin's free throws got the Clippers to within four points, as close as they had been since the third quarter. But the Clippers could not quite complete the comeback.</p>
<p>I said going into the game that the Clippers needed to make their perimeter shots and that Chris Paul needed to make shots in order to win the game. Neither of those things happened, as the Clippers shot 7-24 from deep and Paul shot 4-13. I didn't mention that the Clippers needed to make their free throws, which, as it turns out, would have been enough. Even considering the three point shooting and Paul's off night, if the Clippers just make their normal percentage from the line, they're two points up in the final two minutes of this game instead of two points down.</p>
<p>The Clippers haven't lost three straight games under <span>Doc Rivers</span> -- but they'll take a two game losing streak into Oklahoma City to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>.</p>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/21/5435444/clippers-lose-tough-one-to-grizzlies-102-96Steve Perrin2014-02-21T16:45:02-08:002014-02-21T16:45:02-08:00Clippers-Grizzlies open thread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DISmQVoxA32fcNUUpyY68Ug-vAo=/0x404:3347x2635/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28992315/20131205_pjc_ad8_149.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers need a road win in Memphis tonight, but the Grizzlies are healthy, and they've been very tough to beat when they've been healthy this season.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/2567101/793.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="793_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/2567101/793_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1392970005107">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>37-19</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>30-23</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>February 21st, 2014, 5:00 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>FedExForum</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>17-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>13-5</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>20-10</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>17-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-14</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>14-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-9</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>13-12</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>10-15</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>6-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>7-3</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Mike Conley</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Courtney Lee</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tayshaun Prince</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Zach Randolph</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Marc Gasol</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">97.98 (9th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>91.91 (30th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">108.7 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>102.1 (19th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.2 (11th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>102.1 (9th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; "><span>J.J. Redick</span> (hip) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tony Allen</span> (broken hand) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Quincy Pondexter</span> (foot) out</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The season series is tied, 1-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>11/18/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> 106, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 102</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/11/18/5120810/memphis-grizzlies-defeat-la-clippers-106-102"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131118/MEMLAC/gameinfo.html"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/05/13</b></td>
<td><b>Memphis</b></td>
<td><b>Clippers 101, Grizzlies 81</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/5/5180604/clippers-tame-wounded-grizzlies-xxx-xx"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><b><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131205/LACMEM/gameinfo.html#nbaGIPlay">Box</a></b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/21/5434910/clippers-grizzlies-open-threadSteve Perrin2014-02-21T10:36:23-08:002014-02-21T10:36:23-08:00Clippers-Grizzlies preview: Back to Memphis
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eOA9rItu-YQTb8CHeNxDqRKz640=/0x260:2667x2038/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28978177/20131205_pjc_ad5_333.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Clippers stumbled at the start of the final third of the season with a home loss to the Spurs. Things don't get any easier in Memphis, where their nemesis is getting healthy at the right time.</p> <table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" cellspacing="5" border="1" cellpadding="5" align="center"><tbody>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">2013/2014 NBA Regular Season</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/472353/bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium.gif" alt="Bvv028jd1hhr8ee8ii7a0fg4i_medium"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">vs</th>
<td width="240"><center> <a href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/2567101/793.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="793_medium" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/2567101/793_medium.jpg"></a> <br id="1392970005107">
</center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240"><center><b>37-19</b></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><center><b>30-23</b></center></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>February 21st, 2014, 5:00 PM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>FedExForum</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3" align="center"><b>Prime Ticket, KFWB 980 AM, KWKW 1330 AM</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center">Win-Loss Breakdown</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>17-9</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">East</th>
<td width="240"><b>13-5</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>20-10</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">West</th>
<td width="240"><b>17-18</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>23-5</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Home</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-14</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>14-14</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Road</th>
<td width="240"><b>15-9</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>13-12</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500+</th>
<td width="240"><b>10-15</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>24-7</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">.500-</th>
<td width="240"><b>20-8</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b>6-4</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">L10</th>
<td width="240"><b>7-3</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Probable Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Chris Paul</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Mike Conley</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Jamal Crawford</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Courtney Lee</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Matt Barnes</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tayshaun Prince</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>Blake Griffin</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Zach Randolph</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b><span>DeAndre Jordan</span></b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Marc Gasol</span></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">97.98 (9th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240"><b>91.91 (30th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">108.7 (2nd of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>102.1 (19th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; ">102.2 (11th of 30)</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240"><b>102.1 (9th of 30)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" colspan="3" align="center"><b>Injuries/Other</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><b style="text-align: start; "><span>J.J. Redick</span> (hip) out</b></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Tony Allen</span> (broken hand) GTD</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><br></td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240"><b><span>Quincy Pondexter</span> (foot) out</b></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Back Story (The season series is tied, 1-1):</b></p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>Date</b></td>
<td><b>Venue</b></td>
<td><b>Final</b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
<td><b><br></b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>11/18/13</b></td>
<td><b>Los Angeles</b></td>
<td><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzlies</a> 106, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> 102</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/11/18/5120810/memphis-grizzlies-defeat-la-clippers-106-102"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131118/MEMLAC/gameinfo.html"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; "><b>12/05/13</b></td>
<td><b>Memphis</b></td>
<td><b>Clippers 101, Grizzlies 81</b></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/2013/12/5/5180604/clippers-tame-wounded-grizzlies-xxx-xx"><b>Recap</b></a></td>
<td><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/games/20131205/LACMEM/gameinfo.html#nbaGIPlay"><b>Box</b></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p><b>The Big Picture:</b></p>
<p>The Clippers laid an egg in their first game after the All Star break, losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> as Chris Paul shot 1-10 and the team missed 15 of 21 three point attempts. Things don't get any easier on a tough three game trip that takes them to Memphis, Oklahoma City and New Orleans. These were supposed to be the halcyon days, with a fully healthy roster completely comfortable in Doc Rivers' system, building momentum over the final eight weeks of the season and heading into the postseason strong. But J.J. Redick's bulging disc postponed that "healthy" thing and the Clippers continue to limp along at less than full strength. They didn't get any help at the trade deadline either, though some help may be on the way soon in the form of players getting buy outs from their existing teams. <span>Glen Davis</span> was the first player to be bought out, and as a former Celtic under Doc Rivers, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--magic--glen-davis-reach-buyout-agreement-011002950.html" target="_blank">the Clippers are considered the front-runners</a> to sign him. But that's not going to help tonight (nor Sunday in Oklahoma City). Tonight they'll rely on the new and improved Blake Griffin to win this round of his ongoing battle with Zach Randolph, and hope that DeAndre Jordan can hold his own with the clever Marc Gasol. And they'll need Paul to make some shots, and to be able to hit something from the perimeter.</p>
<p><b>The Antagonist:</b></p>
<p>Memphis remains just out of the playoff picture in the Western Conference for the time being, one game behind Dallas for eighth place (tied in the loss column). They're an obvious candidate for "most disappointing" but don't be fooled -- similar to the Clippers, this team has been impacted by coaching changes and injuries, and the glimpses of full-strength Memphis have revealed a team as strong as ever, if not stronger. They started poorly under new coach Dave Joerger, then started to figure things out and went on a four game winning streak before Marc Gasol was injured and missed 23 games. When they got Gasol back they won 11 of 12 -- and then Mike Conley twisted his ankle. With apologies to Zach Randolph, Gasol and Conley are the most important players on this team and since November 14, they are 13-1 when both of those guys play. Guess what? They're both playing tonight. Both are coming back from injuries (Conley has only been back from his ankle sprain one game and he didn't exactly light it up against the Knicks while Gasol re-injured his knee slightly before the All Star break) but they'll be out there. Tony Allen could return from his own injury tonight, which would make the Grizzlies as close to fully healthy as they're going to be this season. This is a better team than the one that beat the Clippers in STAPLES Center in November -- Courtney Lee is an upgrade over <span>Jerryd Bayless</span> in the backcourt, <span>Nick Calathes</span> gained confidence and experience while Conley was out and <span>James Johnson</span> is a key reserve at this point. Don't be fooled by their ninth place standing -- these guys are as worrisome as ever.</p>
<p><b>The Subplots</b></p>
<ul>
<li> <b>Comparison of key metrics.</b><span> For all the talk of how bad the Clippers have been defensively, they are currently allowing 105.3 points per 100 possessions, compared to 105.2 per 100 for the Grizzlies. So these are two teams that really need to get their act together on the defensive end.</span> </li>
<li> <b>The West.</b> Well, we were hoping prior to San Antonio game that the Clippers would be in striking distance of second place in the Western Conference heading into this game, but the Spurs had other ideas on that subject. The bad news is that the Clippers have fallen 3.5 games back of second after getting to within 2 games, but the good news is that Portland and Houston both lost since Tuesday, so the Clippers remain in a virtual tie for third.</li>
<li> <b>Playoff rematch looming?</b> The Clippers are tied for third, still with hopes of climbing up to second. The Grizzlies are in ninth, just two games behind sixth place Phoenix. Could a 3-6 or 2-7 first round playoff meeting between these two teams be in the cards? After seeing the Grizzlies in the first round for two straight seasons, this is one team the Clippers would dearly love to avoid. There won't be any easy series in the West this season, but a Memphis series will be hard fought and physical -- even if you win it, it takes a toll. Not to mention that this team, when healthy, is really freaking good. </li>
<li> <b>Trade deadline.</b> The Clippers made two moves, dumping <span>Antawn Jamison</span> on Atlanta and <span>Byron Mullens</span> on Philadelphia in order to free up roster spots and money to sign veteran free agents (like Big Baby Davis potentially). They came close to completing a trade of <span>Darren Collison</span> and Matt Barnes to the Knicks for <span>Iman Shumpert</span> and <span>Raymond Felton</span>, but stopped short of pulling trigger. The Grizzlies were deep in discussions for their own guard/forward swap, but a proposed Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince for <span>J.J. Barea</span> and <span>Chase Budinger</span> deal never materialized. Prince is on his last legs and has been one of the worst starters in the NBA this season, but Allen more than anyone else personifies the Grizzlies, so I would have been surprised if the deal had gone through.</li>
<li> <b>Familiar foe.</b> In the past 24 months, these two teams have played each other 22 times. The Clippers have won 12 of those meetings -- and yet it's the four straight losses in the playoffs last May that everyone remembers. Hopefully the Clippers remember those also.</li>
<li> <b>False narrative.</b> The narrative of the playoff collapse has always struck me as incorrect. The way the story goes in the media, the rough and tough Memphis bigs dominated the soft as tissue Clipper bigs so Memphis won. Certainly DeAndre Jordan was terrible in the series -- perhaps because <span>Vinny Del Negro</span> had systematically ruined his confidence over the course of the regular season. Griffin was fine until he got hurt before game 5. Besides, you absolutely expect the Memphis bigs to produce, because they're really good and the Grizzlies lean heavily on them. The real story of the series, the unexpected problem that doomed the Clippers, was that they were completely outplayed on the wings. Tayshaun Prince and Tony Allen absolutely dominated their matchups with <span>Caron Butler</span> and Chauncey Billups. It's the reason that the Clippers went out and got J.J. Redick and Jared Dudley. But with Redick hurt and Dudley unimpressive in his tenure as a Clipper, it doesn't feel like the "new and improved" Clipper wings will make a difference in this one.</li>
<li> <b>Griffin vs. Randolph.</b> The battle of this game will be fought at the power forward between Blake Griffin and Zach Randolph. Randolph clearly doesn't like Griffin -- doesn't like him at all -- and these guys always play a very physical game with each other. Maybe Randolph doesn't like it that Griffin pushed him out of LA. Maybe he doesn't like it that Griffin jumps so high when Randolph has no ups at all. Whatever it is, it's going to be mean down there. <span>Doc Rivers</span> has Griffin facing up more, using his quickness, not trying to back guys down and overpower them as much. Griffin is an evolving and improving player, and he's shown an ability to make adjustments against different types of defenders he didn't really possess before. The strength of <span>Chuck Hayes</span>? No problem, shoot over him. The length of <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span>? Get into his body and get him off-balance. And in all cases, the quickness advantage and ball-handling that Griffin has facing the basket sets him apart from other power forwards. Z-Bo hasn't really seen this new Blake Griffin yet and it should be interesting.</li>
<li> <b>Defending Paul.</b> The Grizzlies have three excellent perimeter defenders in Mike Conley and Tony Allen and now Courtney Lee. Allen has missed the last 21 games with a broken hand, but is expected to be available for this one. The Grizz will probably start the game with Conley on Paul, but will switch to Allen at some point, and Lee will take his turn as well. Sometimes I actually think that assigning those stopper types like Allen to Paul can backfire -- when he's aggressive and challenged is when he's at his best.</li>
<li> <b>Slumping Paul.</b> Chris Paul had his worst shooting night of the season, 1-10 against the Spurs on Tuesday. Against a good team, that's difficult to overcome. The Clippers offense relies heavily on the middle pick and roll, and Paul gets a lot of open mid-range shots off of that. If it's not falling, it presents a big problem. Strangely, Paul shot pretty well in his first two game back from his separated shoulder (14-24 combined) so it wouldn't seem to be directly related to the injury (though he does seem hesitant to take three pointers since his return). Hopefully he just had a bad game against the Spurs and he'll come back strong tonight.</li>
<li> <b>Three point shooting.</b> In a league that is continually placing more emphasis on the three point shot, the Grizzlies are a throwback to a team that pounds the ball into the post. Last season they were 30th in three point attempts per game, and in fact two teams (the record breaking <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> and <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a>) each shot double the number of three pointers taken by the Grizz. So they went out and added <span>Mike Miller</span> in the off-season, and this year they are ... again dead last. </li>
<li> <b>Three point shooting continued.</b> The Clippers are 23-0 when they make nine or more three pointers this season. That leaves them well below .500, 14-19, when they make fewer than nine threes. All teams play better and win more when they make shots -- that's not really a shock. But rarely if ever is the difference this stark. If the Clippers can make threes, they are almost unbeatable -- if they can't, they are very, very beatable. That's a big part of why having Redick out of the lineup is such a big deal. Nine is a tall order for the Redick-less Clippers playing the Grizzlies -- but they have to hit some. Otherwise Memphis is just going to wall off the paint and smother Griffin and this will be a very, very long night.</li>
<li> <b>No love lost.</b> These teams don't like each other. Hard fought playoff series two years in a row will do that to teams, not to mention regular season games laden with playoff implications. Randolph in particular seems to have a real beef with Blake Griffin and will take every opportunity to rough him up. How the Clippers handle the Grizzlies' physical nature -- and perhaps more importantly, how the refs call the game -- will be a big factor tonight. If the refs allow a lot of pushing and shoving, then advantage Memphis.</li>
<li> <b>Connections.</b> Zach Randolph is a former Clipper who they traded to Memphis to make room for Blake Griffin after winning the lottery and drafting Griffin with the first overall pick in 2009. Tony Allen played for Doc Rivers in Boston, and was part of the 2008 championship team.</li>
<li><b>Get the Memphis perspective at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Grizzly Bear Blues</a>.</b></li>
<li> <b>Shakespearean reference:</b><br><b><a href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/playmenu.php?WorkID=kinglear" target="_blank">King Lear</a> -- <a href="http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/play_view.php?WorkID=kinglear&Act=3&Scene=1&Scope=scene" target="_blank">Act III, Scene 1</a> -- Gentleman</b><br><i>Contending with the fretful elements; <br>Bids the wind blow the earth into the sea, <br>Or swell the curled waters 'bove the main, <br>That things might change or cease; tears his white hair, <br>Which the impetuous blasts, with eyeless rage, <br>Catch in their fury and make nothing of; <br>Strives in his little world of man to outscorn <br>The to-and-fro-conflicting wind and rain. <br>This night, wherein the cub-drawn <b>bear</b> would couch, <br>The lion and the belly-pinched wolf <br>Keep their fur dry, unbonneted he runs, <br>And bids what will take all. </i> </li>
</ul>
https://www.clipsnation.com/2014/2/21/5432702/clippers-grizzlies-preview-back-to-memphisSteve Perrin