Game #57: Clippers(34-22) @ Grizzlies(32-23)

[Sofia]

Be nice guys, it's my first game thread!

Game #57

Monday, April 9th, 5:00 pm PDT, Fed Ex Forum, Memphis
This game will be broadcasted by /

Los Angeles Clippers

@
Memphis Grizzlies


The Clippers have been back in the winners circle after their recent loss to the Lakers and a pair of wins over Sacremento, and are looking to make it to 9-1 in their last 10 games. A win will put the Clippers on equal standing with the Lakers, who will either move ahead or behind half a game, depending on the result of their matchup in New Orleans.

The Clippers will hit the road in the first of their 3 game western road trip when they take on Memphis at the Fed Ex Forum, the favoured hunting ground for the Grizzlies who are 19-7 on the season at home, with wins in their last 4 games in the building. The Grizzlies have been in hot form since the last meeting with the Clippers, a 9 game stretch which includes a home win over Dallas, and road wins over Miami, Oklahoma City and The Lakers, the 3 of whom have a combined home record of 71-14 (.836).

Memphis currently sits just 1.5 games back from the Clippers, in 5th and 4th position in the Western standings respectively. With this being the 7th remaing home game of the final 11 Griz games, and a favourable run home with 5 of their remaining games against the likes of the Hornets, Bobcats, Timberwolves and Cavs, it is imperative that the Clippers take the win to increase their breathing space before they begin their own tough run to the playoffs.

Recent Matchup History
This Season: LAC 2 - MEM 0 (LAC 101 - MEM 85, LAC 98 - MEM 91)
Last Season: LAC 2 - MEM 2
Last 10 H2H: LAC 6 - MEM 4
Last 6 H2H in Memphis: MEM 4 - LAC 2

Injury Report
Clippers
Chauncey Billups - Torn Left Achillies; Season.
Mo Williams - Sprained Left Achillies; Questionable but unlikely for this game.

Grizzlies
Tony Allen - Lacerated Lip; Likely to play.
Darell Arthur - Torn Right Achillies; Season

Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies


Key Reserves
Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies


Team Leaders Per Game
Los Angeles Clippers
Points - Blake Griffin - 20.8
Rebounds - Blake Griffin - 11.0
Assists - Chris Paul - 9.1
Steals - Chris Paul - 2.5
Blocks - Deandre Jordan - 2.1

Memphis Grizzlies
Points - Rudy Gay - 18.4
Rebounds - Marc Gasol - 9.5
Assists - Mike Conley - 6.9
Steals - Mike Conley - 2.4
Blocks - Marc Gasol - 1.9

Wait, I should watch this guy?! You sure?
Clippers
Randy Foye, he's our boy! At over 20 points per game over our last 6, Foye is leading the team in scoring over that period. He's notched up a few Star Of The Game awards on the forum, and is shooting lights out at volume from down town. If Allen is out and Foye gets matched up against the smaller Mayo, watch for this shooting form to continue.
Memphis Grizzlies
Gilbert Arenas seems to have settled in Memphis, and is finding his touch again, needing less than 14 minutes per game to average 11 points over his last 4 contests. Not always one for efficiency, Agent Zero/Hibachi/Whatever he calls himself these days, is doing so while shooting an impressive 67% from the field, and he is also carrying that percentage back past the 3 point line. It was never a question of ability, always mentality with Arenas, and with these past few showings, he may be back on track and a player to take note of once again.


GO CLIPPERS!

[mkwest]

Only 10 more games left. With the congestion in the western conference, every game counts. The 3rd seed is still in play for us, but we really need to try to maintain the 4th seed at the very least. Memphis is a team that nobody wants to face in the playoffs in any round and they could very well be the team we square off against if things stay the same. If we win this game, then we have 2.5 game cushion over them (in addition to the tiebreaker that we already have). If Memphis wins, they'll be within a 1/2 game of us. If we're going to play them in the first round, that home court advantage could be key.

We've beaten them twice, but it's been 2 different teams each game. In the first game, Z-Bo was out and Solomon Jones and Ryan Gomes were logging minutes and of course we still had Chauncey. In the 2nd game, Z-Bo had been back for about 5 games and Arenas was just signed. Our roster reflected our current rotation with Mo on the sidelines. This is one is more important for both teams and can serve as a barometer for a potential post-season match-up.

[LOJ]

Good job on your first GT clips!

That being said, I want no part of the Grizzlies in the 1st round..... This is a must win, let the Lakers deal with them. I want that 3rd seed and div title.

[RiversideClips]

Kudos to 1386 on the Game thread, very nice!
I think "Lion" says it best, try & get the 3rd seed & stay away from the Grizz come playoff time.
That being said, we need this game, we have to let other teams chase us!

[azncorruptedo17]

def a must win game, not only do we need this for seeding, but if we end up 4/5 i hope it'll be a measure up game... Grizz have a full squad now and i'm sure will make a big run come playoffs.

[og15]

I expect to see some Tony Allen on Chris Paul, especially if this is the playoff matchup, the Grizzlies will put Allen on Paul to try and take him out of the game.

I was examining the effectiveness of Bobby Simmons and trying to see if it might be wise for him to have his minutes decreased.

Note, for the pts per possession, on offense a higher number is good, while on defense, a lower number is good. You want to score more points per 100 possessions, while you want your opponent to score less points per 100 possessions. eFG% is FG% taking into account the value of three's.

Bobby Simmons
per 36 minutes:
6.8 PPG | 4.8 RPG | 1.1 APG | 1.2 SPG | 0.8 TPG | 32.1% FG | 35.3% 3PT | .443 TS% | 6.4 PER

Offense
Pts per 100: On = 108.0 | Off = 109.7

eFG%: On = 50.8% | Off = 49.7%

Defense
Pts per 100: On = 107.7 | Off = 107.7

Opp eFG%: On = 51.6% | Off = 48.8%

Opp PPP: Total = 0.93 | Isolation = 0.56

Nick Young
per 36 minutes:
15.3 PPG | 2.8 RPG | 1.0 APG | 0.9 SPG | 2.0 TPG 37.3% FG | 31.1% 3PT | .484 TS% | 9.4 PER

Offense
Pts per 100: On = 107.9 | Off = 109.7

eFG%: On = 48.4% | Off = 50.0%

Defense
Pts per 100: On = 104.9 | Off = 108.0

Opp eFG%: On = 47.2% | Off = 49.3%

Opp PPP: Total = 0.95 | Isolation = 0.81

Neither guy has been impressive on offense. Right now the team is better on offense without them, more so Young than Simmons, but they also don't play with the two best offensive players as much and play with some of the poor ones a little more (Martin, etc).

What is interesting though is that the team is better defensively with Young on the floor, while the team is worse defensively with Simmons. This isn't adjusted for teammates though, so there might be some issues in terms of who one is playing with. Simmons is usually with what is termed the defensive unit though, so one would expect his on court defensive numbers to be better.

In terms of individual defense according to synergy, they have been about the same, both poor, though Bobby has excellent numbers in the 27 isolation situations he's found himself in over the season, and Young similarly is okay there.

Here is my thought. Nick Young can defend as effectively or arguably better than Simmons. Neither guy is currently being effective on offense, but giving Young more time to get comfortable on offense (he's been playing too much with the starters, and not enough with the bench) will be much more valuable for any sort of post-season run than having Bobby Simmons playing. I like Simmons, but outside of the fact that he works hard, his actual production is pretty terrible and shouldn't warrant 17 MPG.

Lastly, a little sign of hope. With the good defense in the past few weeks, the Clippers have moved up the ranks in defensive efficiency and are now 18th in DRtg at 105.4. Nothing great, but out of the 20's.

[vanjulio]

very nice gamethread but Speights and QPon will start. ZBO is part of our elite 2nd team coming off the bench. If Tony Allen plays I doubt he starts anyway. from his twitter today it sounds like he's not doing contact yet. (still has stitches)

[thanumba2clippersfan]

This is an important game. We could possibly take 3rd place and the division lead or just be a 1/2 game ahead of the Grizzlies. I know the Grizzlies are playing well and this won't be easy. I just hopw we find a way to beat these guys.

very nice gamethread but Speights and QPon will start. ZBO is part of our elite 2nd team coming off the bench. If Tony Allen plays I doubt he starts anyway. from his twitter today it sounds like he's not doing contact yet. (still has stitches)

Why would ZBO be coming off the bench?

[LOJ]

This is an important game. We could possibly take 3rd place and the division lead or just be a 1/2 game ahead of the Grizzlies. I know the Grizzlies are playing well and this won't be easy. I just hopw we find a way to beat these guys.

very nice gamethread but Speights and QPon will start. ZBO is part of our elite 2nd team coming off the bench. If Tony Allen plays I doubt he starts anyway. from his twitter today it sounds like he's not doing contact yet. (still has stitches)

Why would ZBO be coming off the bench?

He's been coming off the bench since he's been back. I guess just to slowly ease him into things.

[og15]

They've been playing him off the bench. I don't know if it's related to him and Gay not meshing super well on offense, but that's what they have been doing lately.

[Sofia]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was unsure on lineups for the Griz as their media guide was still pre Mavs game, listed Tony Allen as a starter AND out by injury.

Speaking of out, Randolph may be limited, if he does play, after being rear ended on the way to practice.

[Sofia]

Of course, our good luck charm today, proudly representing my home country, Miranda Kerr.

edited.

Img hates me.

[scratch21]

this should be a bigggggggg test for us

[mkwest]

Nice GT Clips1386

[mkwest]

Griffin has made 11 out of his last 15 from the 16-23 foot range. That's 73.3%.

[LOJ]

Griffin has made 11 out of his last 15 from the 16-23 foot range. That's 73.3%.

If only he shot that percentage from the line! Man

[mkwest]

Griffin has made 11 out of his last 15 from the 16-23 foot range. That's 73.3%.

If only he shot that percentage from the line! Man

Hopefully he puts in a ton of ft practice in the offseason and can be there next season

[Sofia]

Finally found a good feed. Go Clippers

[mkwest]

Memphis has been having their way so far.

[LOJ]

It's like we don't box out or play defense.