Game-by-Game Predictions for LA Clippers' Series with Memphis Grizzlies

For the second year in a row, the Los Angeles Clippers are preparing for what should be a difficult slugfest against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

After winning a gritty seven-game series in Memphis last season, the Clippers have the good fortune of starting this series at home.

These teams have been close all season, as indicated by their identical 56-26 records.

"Lob City" has won nine of its last 14 matchups with the Grizzlies dating back to last season. Although Memphis was able to steal one game in Los Angeles this season, the Grizzlies have only won just two of their last six games against the Clippers at home. 

However, that record does not indicate how close this back-and-forth has been. In those 14 games, five have been decided by five points or less, with most of the games not decided until the final few minutes. 

Luckily for Los Angeles, the Clippers will be able to rely on the brilliance of Chris Paul down the stretch. 

Winners of their last seven contests, the Clippers are clicking at the right time. Even though Memphis will present a formidable matchup, this series could be over quicker then expected.

Game 1

When: Saturday, April 20

Where: Staples Center

Breakdown: Game 1 will be incredibly important for the Clippers to set the tone and protect their home court. 

The Clippers certainly have a psychological edge over Memphis, and the potency of Paul and Blake Griffin should have Marc Gasol and Co. on their heels. "A Tribe Called Bench" should come out ready to perform behind an electric home crowd as well. 

Look for Eric Bledsoe, in particular, to have a big impact. The young guard has a plus-11.4 rating against the Grizzlies, per  NBA.com. He is a ball-hawking threat that Memphis has no answer for on the court.

Prediction: Clippers pull away in the fourth quarter, winning, 103-92. 

Game 2

When: Monday, April 22

Where: Staples Center

Breakdown: Following a defeat in Game 1, Memphis should come out firing on all cylinders. Expect Mike Conley to step up and try to take Paul off the dribble early.

Last postseason, Conley exploited Paul from behind the arc, knocking down a whopping 48 percent of his threes with CP3 on the court. 

Despite Paul’s brilliance, Conley actually found success with the All-NBA guard on the floor, holding his own with a plus-3.2 in 236 minutes of action.

If the Grizzlies are to pull off a road win, then they will need a big game from Conley. 

The Clippers should still retain the advantage, however. Look for DeAndre Jordan to come to life against Marc Gasol in the post.

 If the Grizzlies target their defense to slow Paul and Griffin, then Jordan should be the recipient of a lot of low-post buckets.

Prediction: The Grizzlies put up a fight, but falter in crunch time. Clips win, 85-82.

Game 3

When: Thursday, April 22

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis

Breakdown: Although the Clippers won both games in Memphis this season, the Grizzlies will not fall down 0-3 in this series. 

Zach Randolph will harness the success that he has found all season and force Blake Griffin into some early foul trouble. Combine that with added confidence for role players at home like Tony Allen and Jerryd Bayless, and Memphis might light up LA.

In home games, Allen posts a plus/minus of plus-6.0 as compared to his minus-4.4 average on the road. The wear and tear of playing against Memphis should begin to stymie the Chris Paul attack as well. 

Ultimately, Game 3 could look very much like Game 2 of last year’s first-round series, where Memphis led all game before winning, 105-98.

Prediction: Memphis goes up early and holds off any Clippers' attacks, winning, 98-89. 

Game 4

When: Saturday, April 27

Where: FedEx Forum, Memphis

Breakdown: Knowing the implications of heading back to Los Angeles with the series tied at two games apiece, the Clippers will look for the coup de grace in Memphis. 

Los Angeles is a much more seasoned team than it was a year ago, and its experience and success will keep the Clippers close throughout. The Clippers will also have the veteran savvy of Chauncey Billups when the game is close. 

The Clippers best shot at winning is to keep within striking distance deep into the fourth quarter. It would be surprising if this was a blowout by either team. 

When the game gets close, expect Chris Paul to take over.

In crunch time, Paul’s numbers skyrocket. Per NBA.com, Paul’s offensive rating jumps from 112.0 to 128.8 while his usage percentage also increases from 21.8 to 40.2. 

Although Tony Allen is a defensive stopper, Paul will be too much to handle down the stretch, knocking down big mid-range shots and converting late-game free-throws.

Prediction: Clippers steal one on the road, 84-83.

Game 5

When: Tuesday, April 30

Where: Staples Center

Breakdown: Last postseason, the Clippers lost the momentum of a 3-1 series lead and were forced to steal Game 7 on the road in Memphis.

As it is likely that the Oklahoma City Thunder will make quick work of the Houston Rockets, the Clippers will look to avoid going back to Memphis and extending a physically taxing series. 

With the Grizzlies on the ropes, Los Angeles will deliver a fatal blow on this Tuesday night. 

Behind a barrage of three-pointers from Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford and Chauncey Billups ('Mr. Big Shot"), Los Angeles will open a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

Memphis is notorious for slow starts when coming out of halftime. On the season, the Grizzlies score the sixth-least amount of points in the third quarter at just 22.8.

Given the urgency, the Grizzlies will claw back to make it close, but the Clippers will open up the game in the fourth quarter and with less than six minutes left, Paul and Griffin will seal the deal.

 Prediction: Fans will have reason to celebrate in Los Angeles. The Clippers wrap up a grueling five-game series that was much closer than indicated, holding off Memphis, 99-90.