NBA Game of the Week

Clippers (7-4) at Grizzlies (11-2)

While I thought the Clippers would hit the ground running this season, so far they've been a disappointment sitting in 8th place in the West coming into this game.  That said, it is early and they're only 3 games out of 1st for crying out loud.  But Chris Paul isn't getting any younger (and that Clipper bench isn't either), they need to do more than just stay afloat if they think they can really come out of the West.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have cruised to the top spot due to a full complement of healthy players.  Normally they don't get to this level of play until springtime, when they rev into beast mode for the playoffs.  Can they sustain this level of success?

1st -- Grizzlies 26-21
2nd -- Grizzlies 27-19

While the Grizzlies are known for stiff defense, it seems like Chris Paul's inability to get anything going in the 1st half was his own reluctance; he's running around out there with little effect.  Griffin is not settling in, Jordan got hampered with some questionable foul calls early on, Reddick is better coming off the bench (don't ya think?).  Gasol does so much on both ends of the court, I'll say it again: he reminds me of Chris Webber, controlling the offense from the foul line, getting others involved setting up his own scoring.  Grizzlies have a good lead at halftime and I don't see the Clippers succeeding at any phase of their game but perhaps halftime will give them an opportunity to re-group.

3rd -- Grizzlies 35-32
4th -- 19-19

Clippers cut the Grizzlies lead to 8 near the end of the 3rd but then the Grizzlies rained a bunch of 3's and kicked the lead back into double digits (where it stayed for the rest of the game).  Griffin was my pre-season pick for MVP but Marc Gasol has made a big time believer out of me, he is unstoppable!  Mike Conley went 2-6 from the floor (2-5 from the line), had zero steals and 2 turnovers and still the Grizzlies dominated from beginning to end.  When Chris Paul is outnumbering your PG, you'd think you'd be in some trouble but not tonight.  The lack of scoring depth on the Clippers is gonna be a problem for them all year long.  Jamal Crawford is that change-of-pace PG that the Clippers have exploited well over the last coupla years but tonight he can't find a flow, not hitting from anywhere consistently, flailing badly out there.  The Grizzlies bench seems to know exactly what their rols is; I was surprised to see so little run for Vince and Calathes (and a DNP for Tayshaun) but they weren't needed as Beno, Pondexter, Koufas and Leuer showed up and gave good minutes.  As long as Gasol stays healthy the Grizzlies should finish top 4. maybe even #1.

Grizzlies 107-91 Clippers

A look at the box scores reinforces my obersvations on the team benches: Grizzlies bench scored 35 points on 13-31 shooting, pitched in 21 rebounds and 7 assists while the Clipper bench scored their 31 points on 10-29 shooting, while adding only 5 assists to 2 turnovers.  Blake Griffin was 5-17 from the floor, only 4 rebounds, 4 turnovers and a -18 rating tonight.  Ouch.  Chris Paul had so-so stats but only 5 assists in 34 minutes shows the Clippers just don't have much offense around the big stars.  I expect the Clippers to be in the top 8 in the West but top 4 is gonna be tough without some roster moves.