NBA Playoffs 2012: Rudy Gay Must Step Up for Grizzlies to Avoid Elimination

The Memphis Grizzlies missed an opportunity to knot the series at two games apiece on Monday in Los Angeles, and it's no wonder it came on the back of another poor shooting performance from Rudy Gay.

Gay's postseason averages have been concurrent with his regular-season numbers, except for one glaring category: shooting percentage.

While shooting 45 percent for the regular season, Gay is shooting 42 percent in the playoffs, and he's coming off his worst shooting night against the Clippers. He went 8-for-25 from the field on Monday, including 1-for-6 from downtown. That was coming off a 5-for-13 performance in Game 3.

It's no coincidence that Gay's only good shooting night of the series has resulted in a Grizzlies win. He's an integral part of the team and was a key player for them in the regular season. The Grizzlies may be playing at home in Game 5, but that won't matter if Gay doesn't improve his efficiency from the field. Remember, he shot 8-for-20 at home in Game 1, and the Grizzlies lost.

If the Grizzlies have any chance to come back from a 3-1 deficit in this series, they are going to need Gay to step up from now on. All of their losses have been close. They still have a chance to turn it around. 

But one thing you can bet on is Chris Paul and Blake Griffin making life difficult. The Clippers are going for the series victory on Wednesday night, and don't think they are going to crumble if Gay starts shooting well.

Rudy Gay needs to prove he deserved to be an All-Star this season, in Game 5 and beyond. Otherwise, he'll go down as a scapegoat for the Grizzlies' demise in the playoffs.

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