Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers

When: Friday, December 29th, 10:30 PM

Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

*all stats were recorded prior to the Grizzlies matchup against the Nuggets

Alright. Please don’t come after me. I’m only here to ask the question…

Did anybody else have this as a scheduled L? Look, I expect this team to go all out against the defending champs… But having to face the Clippers on the second night of a back to back is going to be a tough ask.

I’m not here to say that it can’t happen. I’ve got lots of faith in this team… I’m only asking that everyone hunker down and don’t panic.

Look there’s a chance they rest some dudes in Denver. I get it. But…This one was going to be hard no matter how it is that you slice it.

Ground To Make Up On Offense…

This isn’t to dog-pile on the Grizzlies’ offense. Since the return of Morant—so in five games—the Grizzlies’ offense has jumped up. Their offensive rating went from 30th in the league to a whopping… 29th.

There’s legitimate hope there despite what it may seem. Hope that with continued games that number hops—it would be dope if it soared—up in the rankings. Ja is that imporant to this team.

As is though… The Clippers have been on another trajectory. Which doesn’t bode well for the Grizzlies. They are the 10th ranked offense in the league up to this point. Which is impressive considering the initial poor play after the Harden trade.

Bottom line—LA has lots of dudes that can get a bucket now. They’ve got six guys averaging double digit points. Kawhi Leonard (24.4). Paul George (22.9). James Harden (17.7). Norman Powell (13.1). Ivica Zubac (12.3). And Russell Westbrook (11.4). Not too shabby.

Memphis? Well give me their “Big Three” any day of the freaking week. Those dudes’ points per game averages? Ja Morant is putting up 28.8 points per game in five games. Desmond Bane? 25.2. How ’bout Jaren Jackson Jr.? 23.1.

After that the Grizzlies could use a boost. Marcus Smart (12.5) and Santi Aldama (11.2) are each hitting double digits. But they’re both also guilty of disappearing on the occasional night.

Now… Smart’s back from injury, and Luke Kennard—averaging 8.3 points pre-injury—should join him soon. That will definitely help. In the meantime?

Well it may be tough going.

But with Ja? I’m running with the 901.

…How About That Defense, Though?

How’s the other side of things looking, you ask? Well the defense sure as hell isn’t suffering as bad, so there’s that. In fact, the Grizzlies’ defense is playing at a top-ten level up to this point of the season.

Memphis’ defensive rating ranks seventh in the league. This team is long and rangy, and they’re clogging every lane they can find. Check out the following per NBA.com and Cleaning the Glass:

The Grizzlies are fourth league-wide in points off of turnovers. They’re fifth in turnover percentage. They’re fifth in opponent fast break points. And they’re first in opponent points in the paint.

To be frank: It’s hard to score on this team.

Which isn’t saying it’s not hard to score on the Clippers. They’re no slouches either.

Their defensive rating is 12th in the league, just outside the top ten. If I’m betting on it, though? Both teams are hot, sure… but I’m going riding with Memphis… Again.

Look, what did you expect? This a Grizzlies site. Of course I’m riding with the 901. It’s about time everyone else got with it.

Photo Credit: (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)