NBA Playoffs: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers Game 2
Game 2: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers Mon. April 22, 2013 10:30 p.m. ET
The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers are at it again in the NBA playoffs with the two teams on the rise in the Western Conference going head-to-head for a second consecutive season. Although the Clippers got the best of the Grizzlies last year, Marc Gasol and company would like to impose their will this time around as one of the best defensive teams in the league.
With the Clippers only adding to an already talented roster in the off-season with the additions of Lamar Odom, Jamal Crawford and Matt Barnes, Los Angeles has one of the best benches in the league and that will likely become a big advantage during the postseason.
The Clippers were favored to come out on top against the Grizzlies in Las Vegas odds, but may face a motivated team heading into Game 2 at the Staples Center. Memphis failed to enforce their defense in Game 1 leading to Los Angeles running away with the game.
If the Grizzlies begin to impose their will defensively, the series will tak an interesting turn with Chris Paul and company struggling to run the floor consistently.
As of right now, the Clippers is favored to come out on top in Game 2 with a -6 point spread. Although Los Angeles was able to prove how far they’ve come since last season’s series against Memphis, the Grizzlies isn’t a team to be taken lightly with the ability to be a force defensively.
The Clippers may have shown that they can beat the Grizzlies handedly with a dominant performance in Game 1, but I believe things will change drastically in Game 2 with Memphis emerging as a formidable opponent. Los Angeles may come out on top for a second consecutive game, but Memphis will make it difficult.