Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers
Staples Center – Los Angeles, California
Saturday, April 11, 2015 9:05 pm Eastern, TV: NBA TV
Opening Line: Los Angeles -6 1/2
Current Line: Los Angeles -10
Opening Total: 196 1/2
Current Total: 195
Opening Money Line: Clippers -400 / Grizzlies +325
Current Money Line: Clippers -525 / Grizzlies +405
With only a few days left in the regular season only two things are certain in the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors are locked into the #1 seed and the Dallas Mavericks are locked into the #7 seed. Everything else is up in the air. Only a game separates the #2 seed from the #6 seed. The Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets could each be seeded anywhere from #2 to #6. The Northwest Division champion Portland Trail Blazers are assured of at least a top four seed even though they are 3 games back.
The 54-25 Memphis Grizzlies travel to the 53-26 Los Angeles Clippers Saturday night in a crucial game for both teams. Memphis leads the Southwest Division by a half game over the Spurs and a game over the Rockets. The Grizzlies have a tenuous grasp on the #2 seed and are looking for the first division title in franchise history. The Clippers are in second in the Pacific Division and would currently be the #5 seed. The Clippers are tied with the Rockets, but LA holds the tiebreaker. However, whomever gets the #5 seed will almost certainly get home court advantage in the first round against the Blazers because they will have a better record.
The Grizzlies have won 4 of the last 6 games against the Clippers including 2 of 3 this season. Memphis won at home November 23 107-91 and in LA 90-87 November 23. The Clippers won in Memphis 97-79 four days later. A Memphis win tonight would clinch the tiebreaker over the Clippers.
Memphis is coached by Davis Joerger. The Grizzlies have won 4 of the last 5 games including 2 straight. The Grizzlies won last night in Utah 89-88 when Jazz forward Gordon Hayward missed a game tying free throw after being fouled on a three point shot with a tenth of a second left. Memphis is 37-40-2 ATS and the total is 33-44-2 this season. The Grizzlies were 2.5 point favorites against Utah the total was 175.5.
Los Angeles is coached by Doc Rivers. The Clippers have gone 11-1 in their last 12 games and have won 4 straight games. The Clippers beat the LA Lakers 105-100 on Tuesday night in their last game. Los Angeles is 37-42 ATS and the total is 35-41-3 this season. The Clippers were 17 point favorites against the Lakers and the total was 207.
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Memphis is outscoring teams 98-95 this season. The Grizzlies are #2 in points allowed in the league. Memphis is shooting 45.9% from the field and 35.4% from 3 point range. The Grizzlies are #7 in field goal shooting. Memphis is also #7 in free throw shooting at 77.4% from the line. Opponents are shooting 44.2% from the field and 35.1% from 3 point range. The Grizzlies are #10 in field goal defense. Memphis averages 42.5 rebounds per game and opponents average 42.6 per game. The Grizzlies average 21.7 assists, 12.9 turnovers, 8.5 steals and 4.3 blocks per game.
Center Marc Gasol averages 17.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. Zach Randolph averages 16.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Mike Conley averages 15.8 points, 3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is questionable with an ankle injury after missing the last 2 games. Jeff Green averages 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. Green is questionable with a back injury. Courtney Lee averages 10.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal a game. Tony Allen is likely out until the playoffs with a hamstring injury.
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Los Angeles is outscoring teams 107-100 this season. The Clippers are #2 in scoring. LA is shooting 47.4% from the field and 37.8% from 3 point range. The clippers are in the top 3 in both categories. Los Angeles makes 70.8% of their free throws and are #28 in that category. Opponents are shooting 44.3% from the field and 34.8% from 3 point range. The Clippers average 42.5 rebounds per game and opponents average 42.7. LA averages 24.7 assists, 11.8 turnovers, 7.7 steals and 4.9 blocks per game.
Blake Griffin averages 22 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. Chris Paul averages 19.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 10.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. J.J. Redick averages 16.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Jamal Crawford averages 16.2 points, 2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. DeAndre Jordan averages 11.4 points, 14.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Matt Barnes averages 10.2 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Memphis is 2-5 ATS after a straight up win, 3-10 after a straight up win, and 1-4 against Pacific teams. The Grizzlies are 9-2 ATS against the Clippers recently including 4-0 in Los Angeles.
Los Angles is 5-1 ATS in Saturday games, 4-1 after allowing 100 points or more, 6-2 overall and after scoring 100 points or more, 5-2 after a straight up win, 1-5 at home and against Southwest teams, and 0-4 against teams with winning road records. The under is 3-1-1 in this series overall but four of the last 5 in LA have gone over the total in the series.
Memphis is banged up and played a tough game last night in Utah. LA meanwhile is well rested as they haven’t played since Tuesday and healthy to boot. Still, 10 points seems like a lot and I like the Grizzlies to keep it close with their defense.
