NBA Playoffs: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers Game 1
Game 1: Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers Sat. April 20, 2013 8 p.m. ET
One of the best playoff matchups last year was the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers going head-to-head in an all out battle that got physical and extremely competitive from the first tip until the final buzzer.
Although both teams come into this first-round playoff matchup relatively even in terms of chances to advance in Las Vegas odds to advance to the second round to face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or Houston Rockets, the Clippers have been dubbed the favorites with the consensus being that Chris Paul and company might be the better all-around team this time around.
The key to this first-round matchup between these two teams will be the play of the point guards and the frontcourt dominance. Which ever team can control the paint and get the best play out of Paul or Mike Conley will likely come out on top in this showdown between two of the best teams in the Western Conference.
As of right now, the Clippers have been given the edge to come out on top in Game 1. Blake Griffin and company will go head-to-head against the Grizzlies at the Staples Center on Saturday night with home-court advantage working in their favor.
The Clippers are currently favored to take a 1-0 lead in the series with a 5 1/2 point spread. Although this is a decent spread in terms of the Clippers ability to cover on their home floor, the Grizzlies will make this game much closer than anticipated and may be able to pull off the upset in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will play a pivotal role in this series while trying to control the paint against Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The winner of this battle in Game 1 will lead their team to victory.