NBA Playoffs 2012: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers, Game 4 Preview

The Memphis Grizzlies (1-2) and Los Angeles Clippers (2-1) will continue their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series on Monday night at the Staples Center, with the opening tip scheduled for 10:30 ET on TNT.

Las Vegas oddsmakers opened up the Clippers as 2.5-point home favorites, but that number has fallen by a full point, while the total holds steady at 182.5.

Los Angeles played its first home playoff game in six years on Saturday, capturing a 87-86 win in Game 3 as three-point favorites. The Clippers were fortunate to complete a fourth-quarter comeback due to finishing 13-for-30 from the charity stripe.

Chris Paul continues to run the point guard position at an optimal level, pouring in 24 points and dishing out 11 assists, pushing his scoring average to 22.3 points in the series.

The Clippers have managed to win all five home games this year when the total is between 180 and 184.5, while the "under" is 3-2 in that situation.

Memphis nearly pulled off a last-second victory with small forward Rudy Gay's three-point try at the buzzer, but its road woes continued against Western opponents. The Grizzlies were 8-16 during the regular season against conference foes away from the FedEx Forum.

There's no question that the squad must play better in the final 12 minutes to even this series, as it's been outscored by a 58-28 margin in its two postseason losses.

Mike Conley better bring his A-game in defending Paul down the stretch, or the Grizzlies will find themselves on the brink of elimination when returning home for Game 5 on Wednesday night. 

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