Grizzlies vs Clippers Game Preview and Game Thread

Memphis Grizzlies (38-24, 12-19 away) Los Angeles Clippers (33-33, 15-15 home)

WHEN: 9:00 PM CT

WHERE: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, CA

HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: ESPN/Bally Sports Southeast/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis

INJURY REPORT:

MEMPHIS: Steven Adams (Out – RT Knee PCL Sprain), Brandon Clarke (Out – LT Achilles tear), Dillon Brooks (Out – League Suspension), Ja Morant (Out – Not With Team) 

LOS ANGELES: Kawhi Leonard (Questionable – Load Management), Marcus Morris (Questionable – Elbow), Ivica Zubac (Questionable – Calf)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:

MEMPHIS: Tyus Jones, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard, Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman

LOS ANGELES: Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum

Saturday was one of the most eventful days ever regarding Grizzlies news, and none of it was good. Ja Morant was seen on IG live with a gun and will be away from the team, Brandon Clarke is out for the season with an Achilles tear, and Dillon Brooks has been suspended for one game after reaching 16 technical fouls on the season. All of this comes during the middle of a western conference road trip with multiple nationally televised games, and the Grizzlies have struggled in all of those situations this season.

With all this going on, the Grizzlies must find a way to lock back in. There have been too many non-basketball stories surrounding the team this year, and it is time for them to get back to the basics. Here are some trends, players, and storylines to watch as the Grizzlies take on the Clippers in LA.

Playing without Ja Morant

The Morant news would have been unfortunate regardless of the timing, but the fact that it is coming during one of the most important stretches of the season for the Grizzlies. Despite having a solid record without Morant last season, the Grizzlies are just 4-5 in games without Morant this season. A lot of people will need to step up in his place, but especially Tyus Jones.

Jones has struggled at times this season, but has averaged 18.8 points, 7.7 assists, and shot over 47% from three in his starts. The Grizzlies will definitely need that version of Jones for the next two games of the road trip. Hopefully, his time in the starting lineup can help him find that groove he was in near the end of last season.

Leaning on Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane

If there is one player the Grizzlies should play through without Morant, and honestly even when he’s back in the lineup, it is Jaren Jackson Jr. The Clippers have a lot of veteran wing players but lack a lot of size on the interior. If Ivica Zubac does not play, the Clippers’ only other traditional center is Mason Plumlee, who Jackson will still have an advantage against offensively. Besides foul trouble, there is no reason why Jackson should come out of this game with less than 20 shot attempts.

Desmond Bane will also be an even bigger part of the Grizzlies’ offense, as he will be asked to pick up the slack in both the scoring and facilitating departments. He will also be asked to be the primary ball handler and the point guard for certain lineups. He has shown the ability to do this in the past, but the Grizzlies will need him to be a star in that role during the next few games.

What about the Grizzlies bench?

The Grizzlies bench was underperforming even before the injury to Brandon Clarke. They will also be missing three starters tonight, meaning the rotation must go even deeper. The Grizzlies have already called Ziaire Williams back up from the Hustle, and I would expect him to get significant minutes. There will not be many reliable players coming off the twine in LA, and which has been an issue for a lot of the season especially on the road. In the last game in Denver, the Grizzlies only scored 11 bench points outside of garbage time.

It would be a tough game for the Grizzlies even with a fully healthy and media drama-free roster, but with the circumstances, it’s hard to see the Grizzlies coming out with a victory. Even though they do have a history of surprising teams when undermanned, my prediction would be a close win for the Clippers with some late heroics from either Paul George or Kawhi Leonard.