2012 Playoffs: (4) Grizzlies Vs. (5) Clippers

[Lamrock]

(Grizz are up 24 at the half against the Magic - fair to call them the 4 seed)

This is the first round series I'm looking forward to. The bandwagon team from last year's playoffs takes on the bandwagon team from this year's regular season. I think Memphis is the better team, but I expect the Clippers (and the refs) will make it a close one. Chris Paul should go off, but I think Memphis ultimately takes it in seven.

[JaoSming]

got Griz in 6, everyone knows the bandwagon from last year beats the one from this year

[Patr1ck]

Even if the refs make it a close series, the Clippers could lose it because of their free throw shooting. Memphis is overall a better defensive team and with the Clippers poor free throw shooting, the Griz' can afford to gamble and make plays. Memphis lost the first two games of the season against the Clippers, but won the last game on April 9th. This series should go seven. Neither team will beat San Antonio, though.

[Nick]

This is probably the tightest series of the bunch... it's hard to bet against CP3 and his competitive spirit but the grizz are a legit darkhorse! Plus chris paul has a groin sprain at the moment. But if the clips can get past the grizz you'd think they can probably upset any western team...

I have an image in my mind of chris paul having a legendary type performance in these playoffs, so assuming his goin injury is nothing major then i'll go with Clippers in 7.

[Mavs4Life]

Memphis upsets the Clippers in a close Game 7 thanks to "Hack-A-Griffin." Sometimes he makes them, sometimes it's Shaq-like.

[NovU]

Chris Paul can be contained but not by the Grizzlies. The Clippers in 6.

[Andrew]

No doubt the Clippers' fortune (and seeding) would have been better if Chauncey Billups hadn't gone down with injury. As it stands, without homecourt advantage and with their difficulties at the free throw line, I think they'll ultimately succumb to the Grizzlies. Count me in as someone who believes this one will go the distance though, the only first round series to do so in my opinion. Grizzlies in seven.

[atlwarrior]

Definitely the first round series to watch. I say Clippers in seven just because I like CP3. This can go either way.

[cavs4872]

I like the Grizzlies chances more without Gay than with him. CP3 will destroy Conley; Clips in 6

[lakernation]

Blake Griffin struggles in his mid-range shots, while DeAndre Jordan struggles with his free throws. Take advantage of the Clippers' weaknesses and Grizzlies can win this in 6 games.

[The X]

Grizz in 6. Grizzlies are better across about every position on the court but point guard. Chris Paul earns the Clips 2 wins.

[Dan's Brain]

Should be a great series. The Clips can grab a game or 3, but the Grizzlies are ultimately too potent. The presence of Chauncey Billups would have reversed my prediction, but what can you do.

[jettdaking!]

An exciting series, I'm going to say Grizz in 7, they have a complete roster: Conley, the fundamentally-sound PG. Allen, the stopper. Mayo, the Ginobili/Terry/Barbosa (2007) like explosive scorer off the bench. Randolph, one of my favorites and a low-post beast. Speights, the mid-range big guy. Gasol, the steady monster. and of course, Rudy Gay, the near-matured player who doesn't make bad decisions anymore. The bench has quite depth too, although I've already left the Haddadi bandwagon, but Pondexter and Arenas are nice too, and who knows, maybe Gilbert can have his career rejuvenated in Memphis the way Z-Bo did it. After all, he has always been a great shooter. I think that Grizz bench is gonna beat Clippers bench in terms of efficiency, I don't expect Gomes or Foye taking control of the game, or maybe even KMart providing efficient minutes, but I do think Caron, CP3, and Blake are going to give the Grizz a hard time advancing. Maybe next year, the Clippers are going to advance, but not now, maybe.

[jettdaking!]

they play today. Jesus, i'm getting goosebumps

[Patr1ck]

Clippers aren't playing very well, but have shown signs that they can. I thought people said Memphis had better depth, but it was the Clippers bench that played well and decreased the lead.

Chris Paul needs to start scoring because the Grizzlies defenders are staying home and he isn't able to create shots for others right now. Caron Butler and Nick Young are doing the right things by attacking off the dribble.

Memphis is getting everyone involved and they are executing well on both sides of the floor.

[Bulls#1]

Miserable games for the Clippers Starters but the Bench of the Clippers have done more than enough CP3 should be scoring like he used to.

[Mavs4Life]

What an Amazing comeback by the Clips, just wow.

EDIT: They won.....

[RedPhazon8]

WOW, that was incredible... the Clippers silenced that stadium and shocked the life out of them. So hilarious...

[Patr1ck]

Even I didn't expect that. I know they are streaky, but it just looked like all of a sudden, the Clippers started playing like the Grizzlies, and the Grizzlies started playing like the Clippers.

Nick Young looked like he was a bit woozy during the post game interview on FSN.

[Nick]

What a weird (but awesome) game.

I almost turned the game off in the 3rd quarter when the Grizz were up by like 27 pts... but you could see that Paul totally believed he could still win so i kept watching. I'm glad i did because i just witnessed one of the best comebacks in NBA playoff history. It was weird though because it happened so quietly, and then suddenly the final buzzer went off and the Clips won. Crowd was dead silent.

Massive psychological edge for the Clips now... although they've lost Butler..

[Bulls#1]

WTH The last time I checked they were craps that didn't even know what to do now they made a Amazing comeback!? It's so AMAZING

[Alpha_]

WTH What happened to Memphis??

[Bulls#1]

They choked at the clutch minutes

[123rockstar]

Another 99-98 game! I just woke up watching halfway in the 3rd - just in time for the awesome comeback. Confirmed best comeback in playoffs history.

99-98 seems to be the magic number for an exciting playoff games. OKC vs DAL and now LAC vs MEM. L.A. is so fortunate to watch these multiple playoff games.

[Bulls#1]

Agreed looks like L.A. is getting more hype!