Zach Randolph and the Memphis Grizzlies own the fifth seed in the West. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule, Flickr.com)
Now for three consecutive seasons, the Memphis Grizzlies have clinched a playoff spot and will be contending for an NBA championship in the 2013 NBA playoffs. Founded in 1995, the Memphis franchise has never won a conference or division title, let alone an NBA title.
After dealing Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors, the Grizzlies continued their push toward the playoffs, led by Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Memphis boasts a 55-26 record, and with just one game remaining in the 2013 season, the Grizzlies clinched the fifth seed in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers.
Team Leaders
The Grizzlies get production up and down the lineup, but it all starts in the paint with their bigs, as Randolph and Gasol are two big reasons why Memphis is where it’s at this season. Here are your leaders in all major statistical categories for the Griz.
Points: Zach Randolph- 15.3 PPG
Rebounds: Zach Randolph- 11.1 RPG
Assists: Mike Conley- 6.1 APG
Steals: Mike Conley- 2.2 SPG
Blocks: Marc Gasol- 1.7 BPG
Without the resurgence of Zach Randolph this season, the Memphis Grizzlies wouldn’t be the No. 5 seed in the West. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule, Flickr.com)
Emotional Leader: Zach Randolph
Not only is Randolph the leading scorer and rebounder for Memphis, but the power forward is also the emotional leader for the Griz. As the big body in the paint, Randolph usually draws the assignment of manning the opponents’ most physical paint presence, and he usually succeeds.
He’s a solid interior presence for the Grizzlies’ defense and provides the emotional spark necessary to keep Memphis rolling through the playoffs.
Player to Watch: Marc Gasol
If the Grizzlies are going to make a deep run at an NBA championship, they’re going to do it through defense, and more importantly, Marc Gasol. Memphis’ defense has held opponents to the lowest amount of points in the NBA, allowing just 89.5 points per game, and a lot of that has to do with the defensive presence of Gasol on the interior of that defense.
On offense, Gasol is the fourth-leading scorer on the team, averaging 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. More importantly, Gasol sports the highest player efficiency rating on the Grizzlies, with a 19.7 mark.
Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers are 3-1 against Memphis this season and will pose a problem in the playoffs if they meet. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)
First-Round Matchup
Having already locked up the No. 5 seed in the West, Memphis will likely get the L.A. Clippers in the first round, as the Clips ran away with the Pacific Division from the Golden State Warriors and earned no worse than the fourth seed. However, the Grizzlies could still get the Denver Nuggets in round 1. It’s important to note that the Grizzlies have the same record as the Clippers. With a win in its final game coupled with a Clipper loss, Memphis would have home-court advantage over L.A.
The Grizzlies went 1-3 against the Clippers during the regular season, losing the three games by an average of 13 points, highlighted by a 26-point beat down on Jan. 14.
Although Memphis had a quality 11-point win over L.A. on Mar. 13, the three losses to the Clippers during the regular season don’t help its confidence entering the playoffs.
Prediction
As much as I’d love to tell Grizzlies fans that their team is poised for a deep run at an NBA title, I think the Clippers get the best of Memphis in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs in six games.
While I think Memphis will have the edge in the paint with Randolph and Gasol, the Grizzlies are going to have an extremely difficult time trying to contain Chris Paul and his chemistry with Blake Griffin.
Ultimately, Jamal Crawford coming off the bench and lighting it up will be the X-factor for Los Angeles, as it ousts the Grizzlies from the playoffs in the first round.
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