Grizzlies Look For Revenge
Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzlies will look to upset the Los Angeles Clippers in the opening round.
The Memphis Grizzlies will look to make amends for last year’s failed playoff outing as the side meets the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round for the second consecutive year.
The Clippers edged the Grizzlies in seven games last season. Beginning on Saturday night, Memphis will look for roles to be reversed and ultimately advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
Historically Speaking
The first round matchup sees a meeting between a pair of teams with little playoff pedigree.
The Clippers will be making just their ninth playoff appearance, and only a sixth since moving to the West Coast in 1979. This season marks just the second time in that timeframe that the side has made consecutive appearances.
All told, the Clippers have gone 24-34 (.414) during the playoffs, including when the team was based in Buffalo. The team has advanced past the first round just three times, including last year.
Memphis will be making a sixth appearance in the playoffs. That may be fewer than the Clippers but the Grizzlies have been in existence for 25 less years than the opponents. The side has also made five appearances in the last 10 years, something Clipper fans dream of.
The Grizzlies have advanced beyond the first round just once (2011) and have an overall record of 7-22 (.241). Memphis has forced its last two playoff series – a second round clash with Oklahoma City in 2011 and last year’s opener against the Clippers – to seven games, proving the side has become a tough out.
Searching for an Edge
The Clippers and Grizzlies finished the season with an even record. Both achieved a 56-26 (.683) record on the season. Both were 32-9 (.780) at home and 24-17 (.585) on the road. In fact, the only thing separating the sides was their head-to-head record.
The Clippers edged the Grizzlies 3-1 over four games this season, winning twice in Memphis.
Statistically speaking, the two sides match up well (see below).
The Clippers held the edge in scoring, assists, blocks and turnovers, while Memphis was superior on the boards, in steals, behind the 3-point line and at the free-throw line.
One of the things worth considering, especially if you’re planning on betting the spread, is that the two sides kept daylight between themselves on the scoreboard. Three of the four meetings finished with at least a nine-point deficit, with the Clippers winning by an astounding 26 on Jan. 14.
Betting Trends
The Clippers (-165) are favored to take the series over the Grizzlies (+145).
Bovada has just unleashed a ton of prop bets relating to the series.
At this time, the Clippers have the following odds to win the series: 4 games (10/1), 5 games (7/2), 6 games (7/2), 7 games (14/5).
Memphis’s odds of winning stand at: 4 games (14/1), 5 games (9/1), 6 games (4-1), 7 games 6/1).
Game 1 sees the Clippers (playing at home) open as the favorite, with the spread at 5.
Los Angeles (44-36-2 ATS) has gone 19-20-2 ATS at home this season and 35-31-2 ATS when entering as the favorite.
Memphis (46-34-2 ATS) is 24-16-1 ATS when playing on the road, and 8-7-1 ATS as the underdog.
The Clippers are 3-1-0 ATS when playing the Grizzlies this season.
The total opened at 182.
Memphis (33-48-1) has favored the under while Los Angeles (45-37-0) has favored the over. The sides have seen the total go under in their last three meetings.
LA Clippers vs. Memphis (Playoff History)
2012: LA Clippers 4-3 Memphis
Schedule
GAME 1: Memphis at LA Clippers (Sat, Apr. 20, 10:30 PM ET)
GAME 2: Memphis at LA Clippers (Mon, Apr. 22, 10:30 PM ET)
GAME 3: LA Clippers at Memphis (Thu, Apr. 25, 9:30 PM ET)
GAME 4: LA Clippers at Memphis (Sat, Apr. 27, 4:30 PM ET)
GAME 5: Memphis at LA Clippers (Tue, Apr. 30, TBC)*
GAME 6: LA Clippers at Memphis (Fri, May 3, TBC)*
GAME 7: Memphis at LA Clippers (Sun, May 5, TBC)*
*If necessary
Winning team to play winner of Oklahoma City-Houston series in Western Conference semifinals.
