Game 13 Recap: Grizzlies feast on the Clippers

LA CLIPPERS 91 – MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 106

Clippers          23     22     19     27          91

Grizzlies         27     28     27    24          106

Nice way to end the road trip. The Clippers return home losing 2 of 3 on this mini-road trip and have more questions as a team than answers. They lost for the 2nd time to the Grizzlies (who have only won 3 games) and allowed them to shoot 54.3% from the field and have 5 players score in double figures. Like their last loss against the Hornets, the Clippers did not hold their opponents under 20 points in a quarter and their starters were outscored 75-56.

The Grizzlies hit their first 7 shots and never looked back shooting 59% in the first half and led 55-45 at the break… and Rudy Gay didn’t score a point in the first half! Gay and Zach Randolph finished with 21 points each and Marc Gasol and OJ Mayo chipped in with 16 points a piece. Both teams played evenly except for one glaring stat in which the Grizzlies out shot the Clippers in field goal percentage (54% to 48%) and free throw percentage (84% to 61%). This may be a numbers game but it was the difference as the Grizzlies basically had an easier time of scoring than the Clippers did.

The third quarter is where the Grizzlies pulled away. They opened the quarter with a 9-2 run eventually building a 22 point lead and ending the 3rd up 82-64. Game over.

Baron Davis again led the Clippers with 23 points and 5 assists. Chris Kaman had another below average game with 17 points and 6 boards. Ricky Davis and Craig Smith chipped in with 12 points each. The Clippers lacked any contributions from their forwards as Rasual Butler, Al Thorton and Marcus Camby combined for 16 points (Camby had 0 points).

The Clippers seem to be playing hard but without a direction. Is this a team trying to get used to each other or does the coaching staff need to define their roles and develop a personality. Any good team has an m.o. whether it be a high-octane offense (Suns) or a defensive minded beast (Celtics). The only thing that can be said about how the Clippers is they are confused. They don’t know if defense is what they need to work on or is it rebounding or is it being a half-court type team? They better get their act together soon or the hole they are digging will start to collapse around them.

Tags: Al Thorton, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Marc Gasol, Marcus Camby, OJ Maya, Rasual Butler, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph