NBA Basketball Matchup: Grizzlies vs Clippers
The Memphis Grizzlies won game five by roaring out of the gate and dominating the first quarter. After that they played the Clippers pretty evenly which doesn’t exactly lead one to believe that this team is going to extend the series to another game.
Memphis Grizzlies (2-3) vs Los Angeles Clippers (3-2)
Friday May 11
Staple Center – Los Angeles, CA
9:00PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: Clippers -2.5
O/U: 182.5
Memphis
On the road they will need another top defensive effort to extend the series. A reasonable outcome given the Clippers’ inexperience with success.
In game five the Grizzlies got great production from inside players Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph who combined for 42 points and 17 rebounds. If they can match that production again extending the series is very likely.
It also would help if O.J. Mayo could find his shooting range, he hasn’t scored more than 6 points in any of the last three games.
This is forcing rookie Quincy Pondexter into the lineup, who is a much more active player but not nearly the scoring threat. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Los Angeles
The Clippers are looking to close out Memphis at home on Friday night. They are 2-0 at Staples in the playoffs but even more important than homecourt advantage will be the health of lead players Blake Griffin and Chris Paul.
Both were banged up in the game five loss and I am not sure they can beat a hungry Memphis team without either one of them, let alone both on the bench.
Los Angeles has much better options to replace Paul’s production than Griffin’s. In fact reserve guard Mo Williams led the Clippers in scoring last game with 20 points. If Griffin doesn’t play they get a little tougher by giving extra time to Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin but that really limits their scoring opportunities.
They better win Friday night because I don’t like their chances in a game seven scenario.
Spread Pick: Memphis +2.5
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Memphis 89 – Los Angeles 82
