NBA Playoffs 2012: Chris Paul Key to Los Angeles Clippers Beating the Grizzlies

The biggest key to the Los Angeles Clippers scoring a first-round victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the playoffs is Chris Paul. And luckily for LA, he should be good to go this weekend, despite being held out of Wednesday's regular season finale with a groin strain.

The Clippers are currently the fifth seed in the West, but with a Memphis loss to the Orlando Magic on Thursday night, they could flip-flop with the Grizzlies and become the No. 4 seed, thereby securing home-court advantage. You can see the entire playoffs bracket here. 

According to the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner, Paul will be playing whether or not the Clippers get an extra day of rest and start the series on Sunday. Paul told him there was "no question" he'd be available.

Paul has been the X-factor in LA's success this season, registering 19.8 points and 9.1 assists per game and teaming up with Blake Griffin to form one of the NBA's most formidable scoring attacks. With Eric Bledsoe and Mo Williams struggling to compensate for his production when he isn't available, it is clear that the Clippers need a healthy Paul to emerge from the first round.

Vinny Del Negro told Turner that his decision to hold Paul out of Wednesday's game was in the team's best interest as the postseason approaches: 

"

The most important thing is to be smart about it, look at the big picture. Chris needs to be healthy, whether we're home or away, so that he can play at a high level for us. If he had played tonight and irritated it or there was some swelling or maybe it got worse and then we play Saturday or Sunday and it's a quick turnaround, I didn't think it was worth the risk. 

"

In three games against Memphis this season, the Clippers went 2-1, losing the most recent matchup on April 9. In the first win, Paul and Blake Griffin combined for 38 points in a 98-91 victory that marked Paul's second game back from a hamstring injury. He also chipped in seven assists and shot 3-for-11 from the field. In the second game, a 101-85 win at the end of March, Paul helped the Clippers bounce back from a three-game losing streak with 19 points and 13 assists. 

In all of the Clippers' victories over the Grizzlies, there's been a familiar refrain: When Paul and Blake Griffin share the load and take over the game, they're hard to beat.

Griffin can't do it all by himself. He needs his partner in crime to make a first-round win happen.