The LA Clippers will look to stave off elimination when they travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of their best of seven NBA playoff series in a pro basketball game on Friday night. Tip off time from Memphis is scheduled for 9:30PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN.
The NBA playoff odds from this Game 6 has the home team Memphis Grizzlies favored by -4 ½ points with an over under line of 181 points. There has been no early line movement in this NBA playoff game since the odds came out a few hours ago.
After going up 2-0 in this Western conference first round series the Clippers have lost three straight to fall behind 3-2 following a game five 103-93 home defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies as a -5 ½ point betting favorite. The game finished over 180 points.
The Clippers go up 28-26 after one period and get outscored in the next three quarters by the Grizzlies. LA shoots 44.2% from the floor and made 6 of 17 three pointers. The team made 19 of 25 free throws and with 13 turnovers and six more than the Grizzlies. Chris Paul led the Clips with 35 points and six rebounds as he made 11 of his 24 shots and went a perfect 11 of 11 from the charity stripe. Jamal Crawford had 15 points off the bench with 6 of 14 makes from the floor. No other LA Clipper scored more than seven points. In a huge spot Blake Griffin scored just 5 points and pulled down five rebounds on 2 of 7 shooting in 19 minutes of play. Lamar Odom played just 13 minutes which is mindboggling. Griffin sprained his ankle in practice leading up to game five. He was forced to leave the game on Tuesday and is questionable for game six. LA has shot well this season hitting on 47.8% from the field to rank fourth in the NBA. They are a top ten team in two key defensive areas which are points allowed and opponent’s field goal percentage.
The Grizzlies scored over 100 points for the second consecutive game. They hit on 43.5% from the field and 3 of 10 came from the three point line. Memphis got to the free throw line 33 times and canned 26 shots. The team took good care of the basketball with seven turnovers. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 25 points and eleven rebounds as he made 11 of his 21 shots. Marc Gasol contributed with 21 points and eight boards on 6 of 14 makes. The Memphis defense has been outstanding since game one as they have allowed the Clippers 93 points or less in the past four playoff games. The Grizzlies are a top three defense in all three key categories which are points allowed, field goal and three point shooting defense.
