The Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies are in an all out blood bath in the 2013 NBA Playoffs. When the playoffs began over a week ago, the most intriguing match up of the first round of the playoffs was the Clippers-Grizzlies series.
This rematch of last year’s first round match up promised to be a physical grind it out series. However, after the Clippers took a 2-0 series lead, it was not looking like any resemblance of last year’s 7 game dogfight.
The Clippers looked like they were well on their way to taking their game to the next level. They looked like championship contenders. Especially in Game 2 when Chris Paul put his team on his shoulders and willed his team to victory despite the Grizzlies overcoming a 10 point deficit late in the game. Then the series moved to Memphis.
In Game 3 the Grizzlies played with desperation in front of their home crowd. And this desperation showed the most on the glass. While the Clippers out rebounded the Grizzlies 87-61 in the first two games, the Grizzlies came out with a fervent rebounding effort in Game 3.
The Grizzlies out rebounded the Clippers 45-33. This resulted with the Clippers getting outscored 22-4 in second chance points. The Clippers could not overcome this unbalanced disparity and lost Game 3 by 12.
The Grizzlies followed the same formula for Game 4. They out rebounded the Clippers once again-this time 45-28. This led to a 22-2 advantage in the second chance points department. However, the Clippers were only down by 4 points heading into the 4th quarter until the Grizzlies went on a 19-5 run to blow it open. The Clippers lost by 21 and found themselves in a brand new best three series.
“We have to understand it’s a three game series now.” Chris Paul told ESPN.com. He went on to say… “and we have to play hard and compete and play the way that we know we can.” Both the Clippers and Grizzlies have done nothing but hold their home court.
With two of the next three games played in Los Angeles if there is a Game 7, the Grizzlies know they need to win on the road. Game 5 is a must win for both teams.
Who wants it more?
Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and the revamped Grizzlies? Or will it be Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and the team rising out of the shadow of the other Los Angeles team?
Whoever will have the advantage on the glass will win the series.