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To close out a back-to-back set, the Memphis Grizzlies will hope to make the Los Angeles Clippers their second victory in two games out of the All-Star break. They're a night removed from being led to a closely contested win over the Portland Trail Blazers by Marc Gasol's 21 points. In the last game between these two teams, Gasol scored a team-high 30 points en route to an easy 16-point Grizzlies win.
Clippers star Blake Griffin, voted by coaches to be an All-Star, has been out since February 8th after requiring elbow surgery. With the already shallow Clippers lacking one of their core offensive cogs, Gasol and the Grizzlies defense will be able to key in on Chris Paul, the Clippers' other All-Star.
Spencer Hawes, starting in place of Griffin, has struggled in, well, every way imaginable, shooting an uninspiring 33.0% from 3. On the other end, the Grizzlies will get to attack Hawes in the post. He doesn't put up the same fight on the block that we've historically seen from Griffin in dogfights against Zach Randolph.
Even without Griffin, the Clippers have been clicking lately. They've won four in a row, coinciding with J.J. Redick's return from injury. Having their sharpshooter back in the lineup anchors a pick-and-roll-heavy attack, and Redick has shot 10-of-20 on 3s since rejoining the lineup. The Grizzlies can ill afford to take the Blake-less Clippers lightly on the SEGABABA.
2014/15 NBA Season |
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vs | |
40-14 (17-9 away) |
37-19 (23-7 home) |
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February 22nd, 2015 |
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Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA |
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9:30 PM CDT | ||
Fox SportSouth / 92.9 FM ESPN / NBA TV |
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Possible Starters | ||
Mike Conley | PG | Chris Paul |
Courtney Lee | SG | J.J. Redick |
Jeff Green | SF | Matt Barnes |
Zach Randolph | PF | Spencer Hawes |
Marc Gasol | C | DeAndre Jordan |
2014/15 Advanced Stats | ||
92.0 (27th) | Pace | 94.5 (11th) |
107.5 (10th) | ORtg | 113.4 (1st) |
102.3 (4th) | DRtg | 106.6 (18th) |
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