As we look back on Game 2, a consistent theme emerges: The Grizzlies played their game, created an atmosphere of mucky physicality under which they thrive. And while the Clippers summoned a greater fight than they did for most of Game 1, a look at the rebounding (37-28) and free throw (39-18) discrepancies tells a story that has to change if they are going to turn this series around back at Staples.
- Tom Ziller on what makes Memphis unique, and therefore an opponent that no one wants to play: “This is why we fear the Grizzlies: they do things you are not accustomed to dealing with, and beat you in ways that are not remotely normal by the standards of the current NBA. You cannot find comfort against them, because even when you shoot lights-out all night, they can still find a way to beat you. Just ask the Clips.”
- At The Classical, Kate Perkins writes the the Grizzlies have assembled an Island of Misfit Bears that is, by nature, as likely to topple the best teams in the league as it is to self-destruct by its own hand, like we saw in Game 1.
- Recent ClipperBlog Live guest, Dan Woike, says that for the Clippers to win, they need to be the ones to dictate the tempo.
- Have you ever experienced the feeling of watching something, knowing how you feel about it, but not being able to express it? Well, that kind of happened to me after watching Chris Paul attempt to do everything for the Clippers the other night. Thankfully, Beckley Mason came to the rescue.
- We talk a lot about the Clippers’ defensive issues, particularly their starting bigs and their ability to play the pick and roll. On this play that Jared Dubin outlines at Hardwood Paroxysm, it looks like they actually execute their plan, but Mike Conley senses it and reacts accordingly. It’s definitely worth a look, and because it happens out of a very basic set, it should be interesting to watch as the series continues.
- Both games at The Grindhouse were undeniably physical, often “chippy.” Grizzlies fans might reasonably say that, one crazy quarter aside, their team effectively bullied the Clippers. That does not sit well with Chris Paul, who, after getting into a shoving match with Marc Gasol, apparently turned to the Clippers’ bench and said: “I’m going to knock him out”. He said after the game that it’s just playoff basketball, but it should be interesting to see how it plays out in Game 3.
