NBA Playoffs: Biggest Advantages, Disadvantages Clippers Have Against Memphis

At long last, the Los Angeles Clippers are back in the playoffs. 

However, now that they're in, there are a new set of challenges awaiting them. It's definitely not going to be easy especially against a dynamic team like the Memphis Grizzlies, who gained a plethora of playoff experience after knocking out the No. 1-seeded San Antonio Spurs last year.

The Clippers are a young bunch that may be daunted by this whole playoff thing, but they are also led by the league's best point guard in Chris Paul, who should give them an edge in regards to many factors.

With that being said, here are some advantages and disadvantages the Clippers have against Memphis in the first round. 

Advantages

Blake Griffin's momentum-swinging dunks

Blake Griffin may not be the greatest all-around player, but one thing he does better than anybody else is throw down a slam dunk to ignite a home crowd.

Griffin's dunks have been electrifying the Staples Center ever since he came into the league. In a tightly contested playoff game, an explosive dunk can turn the tide toward the Clippers side. 

It may seem like a small ordeal, but it can actually make a huge difference. 

This all being said, Griffin isn't just known for his dunks. His game has improved this season despite it being limited to a certain extent. He's averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. He's a double-double guy, and with Chris Paul he's going to be someone the Memphis Grizzlies must keep an eye on.

Chris Paul

This is simple.

The Los Angeles Clippers have a huge advantage at the point guard position because of Chris Paul. Paul will be going up against Mike Conley, who hasn't been the greatest defender this season. Opposing point guards have a player efficiency rating of 16 against Conley this season and 15 is the league average.

This means point guards have been having solid performances against Conley.

This isn't your average point guard for the Clippers, though. It's Chris Paul. 

Paul averaged near 20 points and dished out nine assists per game this season. Most importantly, his player efficiency rating hovered over 27, which was one of the best in the league. This once again shows Paul's ability to impact the record.

Heck, you don't even need to look at those stats to realize how important Paul is to the Clippers. Just look at the fact that they're in the playoffs. It's all Paul.

Clippers backcourt

It's mostly because of CP3, but the Clippers backcourt as a whole is far more superior to the Memphis Grizzlies. While the Grizzlies have Conley and Tony Allen starting, the Clippers have Paul, Randy Foye and Mo Williams off the bench. 

The Clippers are the quicker team and they're going to try to use their speed to take advantage of the Grizzlies. 

Disadvantages

Loss of home court

Because of their struggles late in the season, the Los Angeles Clippers lost home-court advantage in the first round and fell to the No. 5 seed. 

Home advantage will matter in this series. The Memphis Grizzlies were 26-7 at home this season and the Clippers were just 16-17 on the road. If the series comes down to a pivotal Game 7, Memphis will have the advantage in this one.

Chauncey Billups' injury

Chauncey Billups is easily one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He brought so much to the table that went under the radar and the Clippers have truly suffered because of his injury. 

First of all, Billups averaged 15 points per game before his injury. That's a pretty staggering number considering his age. He was also a solid defender and, most importantly, he was the leader and elder statesman of the team.

Everywhere Billups has gone, his teams have won. He's the only Clipper to have a ring on the roster. His experience and basketball IQ were missed throughout the regular season and will continue to be missed throughout the playoffs. 

The Clippers were 14-6 with Billups in the lineup. Without him, they were 26-20, and it wasn't until the end of the season when the Clippers started pulling away from being a .500 team without Billups.

Memphis Grizzlies' size

If the Clippers have quickness, the Grizzlies have size. With guys like Marreese Speights, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies will try to impose their will on an undersized team that lacks physicality. 

Other than DeAndre Jordan, the Clippers don't have a mash-up guy who's going to be able to take Gasol or Randolph out of the game.

Z-Bo factor

Speaking of Zach Randolph, he's going to be a huge X-factor in the series for the Memphis Grizzlies. He's another underrated guy whose value is undeniable. 

Randolph has been coming off the bench this year ,and because of that the Grizzlies are always going to have an aggressive punch going against the Clippers. 

Randolph averaged close to 12 points and eight rebounds and had a player efficiency rating of 17.96, a number that is well above the NBA average of 15. His numbers may have declined this year, but Randolph's PER still shows he's a valuable contributor. 

He's also the elder statesman the Clippers don't have. He's an NBA veteran and he's shown he can play in the playoffs on the biggest stage. 

Last season in the playoffs, Randolph was an instrumental component in the Grizzlies' success. He scored 22 points and 11 rebounds per game. Perhaps now that there is more pressure, Randolph will elevate his game.