2012 NBA Playoffs: Keys to Clippers vs. Grizzlies Game 6

The Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies will be meeting up on Friday at the Staples Center for a Game 6 that will have a Game 7 intensity to it.

You can catch the action on ESPN (or live stream it on ESPN3), with coverage beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET. 

Both teams will be fighting tooth and nail for different reasons. The Clips need to win to avoid another cross-country flight to Memphis to play a deciding game on the road. The Grizz have their backs to the wall and will be officially eliminated from postseason play if they lose.

Here’s a look at some keys to the matchup.

Health

Clippers superstars Blake Griffin and Chris Paul were both banged up in a tightly contested Game 5.

Griffin sprained his knee when he attacked the hoop and was bodied up by Marc Gasol in mid-air. He came down awkwardly and had to momentarily leave the game before rejoining the Clips for a fourth-quarter push.

Paul tweaked his hip flexor on a rebound and also had to sit for an extended period of time. He also jammed a middle finger on his dominant right hand.

Both players are expected to start on Friday, but if they are not 100 percent, their team could be in big trouble.

Look for the Grizzlies to test Paul and Griffin early and often while trying to exploit the injuries.

Home Court

The Clippers need to take advantage of a rocking Staples Center, while the Grizzlies must focus on shutting down the fans in attendance. 

If Blake and CP3 can make spectacular plays to have the place buzzing, the entire Clippers team will feed off the energy.

Memphis’ top priority has to be limiting the highlight-reel action and slowing the game down to their pace. Playing tough defense and grinding out possessions on the other end will be crucial. 

X-Factors

Both teams are stacked with wild cards. 

Everyone knows Paul, Griffin, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol are going to get theirs, but there are a number of other players who have the ability to swing this contest in their team's favor. 

O.J. Mayo can play top-notch defense when motivated and has shown it in this series. If his three is also falling, he can be the best player on the floor for Memphis.

Reggie Evans can bang down low with anyone in the league, and his toughness does wonders for a flashy Clippers squad. 

Look for an unlikely player to step up and be the hero in this game.