NBA Playoffs 2012: Grizzles' Randolph and Gasol Show Why Big Men Are Essential

Last night was a thing of beauty. Last night was what I love to see from the Grizzlies, and it's what will keep their hopes alive. 

Big men domination.

Specifically, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

It's no secret Memphis' strength is the play from the center and power forward positions. They are a defensive and offensive nightmare for opposing teams that are hammered in the paint.

Both Randolph and Gasol gave the Clippers a good taste of that last night.

Marc Gasol was a monster in the paint at the beginning of the game. He physically destroyed every Clipper player that came down low and put up some good numbers of his own. Whether it was him driving to the basket or stepping back and taking the jumper, he could not be stopped.

In fact, Gasol was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies with 23 points.

Perhaps the best moment was when Gasol ran through the paint, caught the ball one-handed and slammed it in. The L.A. players just split right up the middle and let him go in.

You could tell that Gasol was making them fear him.

Zach Randolph finally showed some of the form he played with last year versus the Spurs. He finished with 19 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds.

Like Gasol, he played physical down low and made his presence known.

These two men show us all why Memphis is so successful. They aren't your average team.

Instead of going as fast as they can, they grind teams out and make opponents uncomfortable. Why take a shot if you know they're going to block it? Why try to defend the paint if you know they can score from anywhere?

Randolph and Gasol are the epitome of this Grizzlies team. If they keep having performances like last night, Memphis will survive the Clippers and advance. 

It's just a matter of time to see if they can keep it going.