NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Memphis Grizzlies Players Who Are Key to Beating L.A.

The Memphis Grizzlies did a great job of forcing a Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but there are several Grizzlies' players that are going to have to step up in order to actually win Game 7.

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol led the way for the Grizzlies in Game 6 with 18 and 23 points, respectively. That’s not going to happen every night against a team with DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin occupying the middle of the court.

Memphis will have the home-court advantage in Game 7, but that may not be enough for the underrated Grizzlies to win the series. There are three key players that must elevate their level of play in order for the Grizzlies to prevail.

O.J. Mayo

Mayo had a lowly four points in Game 6 and only played eight minutes. He’s a streaky scorer that can have a huge impact on any game. Game 7 would be an ideal time for Mayo to explode.

If Mayo can get hot offensively, the Grizzlies shouldn’t have much trouble dispatching the Clippers. He’s been inconsistent at best thus far, but he’s due for another big game.

Mike Conley

Conley has been putting up decent numbers thus far in the series, but Game 6 was a bit of an off night. He scored 13 points, but had four turnovers. He needs to take better care of the ball and be a more consistent scoring option.

Conley is one of those players that can make up for the lack of offensive production around him if he has to. He plays the majority of games, and Game 7 won’t be an exception to that rule. If he can heat up offensively, it will go a long way toward a Memphis victory.

Tony Allen

Allen isn’t asked to do much scoring because of his defensive prowess, but his eight points in Game 6 could have been better. Going two for seven with so few opportunities isn’t helping the team out very much.

Allen is an outstanding defender that will help shut down the Clippers’ attack. If he can find the energy to be more consistent offensively, the Grizzlies will be entering the second round of the playoffs.

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