It will be a critical Game 5 of the NBA playoff best of seven series from the Western conference as the Memphis Grizzlies travels to face the LA Clippers in a pro basketball contest on Tuesday night. Tip off time from Staples Center in Los Angeles is scheduled for 10:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by TNT.
The odds from this key Game 5 NBA playoff game have the home team LA Clippers favored by -5 points with an over under line of 180 points. There has been no line movement in this game five since the NBA odds came out a few hours ago.
The Grizzlies even this best of seven NBA playoff series at 2-2 following a game four 104-83 home victory against the LA Clippers as a -3 ½ point betting favorite. The total landed over 177 ½ points.
Memphis wins this game in the fourth quarter as they outscored the Clippers 33-16 in the final stanza. The Grizzlies shot 50.6% from the floor and made 4 of 12 three pointers. They crushed the Clippers on the glass by a 45-28 margin. Memphis got to the free throw line 12 more times than the Clips. Zach Randolph had 24 points and nine rebounds as he made 11 of his 17 shots. Marc Gasol contributed with 24 points and pulled down 13 boards on 9 of 14 shooting. The Grizzlies defend very well this year as they rank in the top three of the league in the key areas. Memphis gives up 89.3 points a game good for first in the NBA. Memphis is a lower third offense in all three key components but break 100 points in this series for the first time in the four games played thus far.
The Clipper shot just 41% from the floor and converted on a miserable 4 of 21 from the three point line. Chris Paul had 19 points and six assists as he made 7 of his 13 shots. Blake Griffin had 19 points and ten rebounds on 7 of 13 from the field. LA got behind early in this game and when Lamar Odom was on the court he led a comeback that gave the Clippers a one point lead at halftime. Odom should be playing 35 minutes a game and not the 20 he played in game four. His presence on the court creates opponents turnovers and bad shots. Odom opens up space for Clippers shooters with his ability to pass and move on the anywhere on the court. The Clippers are fourth in the NBA in points allowed by giving up just 94.6 points a game. They have shot well this season as the club connects on 47.8% from the floor.
