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NBA PLAYOFFS -- Clippers go for 1st round KO in Memphis By Ryan Medida PhilBoxing.com Thu, 10 May 2012  LOS ANGELES -- With the steady hands of point guard Chris Paul on deck, the LA Clippers have not only stayed afloat in the rough waters of these NBA playoffs, they are thriving it in, leading the Memphis Grizzlies 3-1 in their best-of-7 series. The Clippers are 48 minutes away from getting through the second round and winning the right to face the No.1 seeded San Antonio Spurs, who recently swept the Utah Jazz, 4-0. But first things first. A Game 5 against Memphis still needs to be won and with the Grizzlies hosting that duel Wednesday night at the FedEx Forum, the Clippers are in for bigger and nastier waves. "The close-out game is the toughest one, especially in their place," prolific Clippers point guard Chris Paul told the Associated Press. The 6-foot, 175-pound Paul, a six-year pro, is averaging 23.5 points and 8.7 assists per game in the series. He sizzled for 27 points and 9 assists as the Clips captured Game 4 in overtime, 101-97, at Staples Center Monday night. For LA to advance, it will also need a lot of heavy-lifting from power forward Blake Griffin. Playing in his first ever playoffs series, the 6-foot-10, 251-pound Griffin has risen well to the ocassion, scoring 86 games and grabbing 25 rebounds in four games. And while the Clippers clearly have momentum on their side, the Grizzlies, who as a No.8 seed upset the No.1 seeded San Antonio Spurs in last year's playoffs, have a lot of fight left in them. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley pondered on the tough task ahead as his team faces an uphill climb out of a 3-1 hole. "We've got to give everything we got regardless if guys are happy, if guys are not. You have to play for one another and understand that winning is all that matters at this point. It doesn't matter how we do it. It doesn't matter who steps up or who doesn't. We have to win." The FedEx Forum hasn't been much of a homecourt advantage for the Grizzlies in this opening round series so far. They squandered a 27-point lead which led to a heartbreaking 99-98 loss in Game 1. And they barely survived Game 2, 105-98. Sharpshooter Rudy Gay, who is averaging a team-high 23.7 points per game in the series, figures to carry much of Memphis' offensive load for Game 5. The Grizzlies will also need a boost from big men Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who have combined for a total of 91 points and 57 rebounds in the series. (Ryan Medida) Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Medida.  |
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