Clippers meet their rebounding match in Memphis
Of all the teams in the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies might be as well equipped to keep the Clippers below the rim.
Monday in Memphis, the Grizzlies limited the Clippers' chances at the basket in the half court and dominated the offensive glass on crucial possessions.
"They are one of the best rebounding teams in the league," Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro said. "I thought we did a good job handling some of the pressure, but we did not rebound the ball well, especially in the first half. They were more aggressive, more physical and we struggled to shoot the ball."
Memphis grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and out-boarded the Clippers by 12.
If the season ended Monday, these two teams would meet in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, with the Clippers owning home-court advantage by a half game.
"They were probably more aggressive than us," Clippers guard Chris Paul. "It was a physical game."
NOTES, QUOTES
Paul's shooting in pre-season form
--Chris Paul is one of the NBA's best guards, and with the playoffs on the horizon, Paul's taken his game to another level. While his assist, rebound and steal numbers are postseason-esque, Paul's struggled to make shots.
"We just have to play better, especially me," Paul said. "All those shots in the lane, lay-ups and stuff like that-I have to make those."
Against the Grizzlies, Paul was just 7-for-17 from the field.
In five of his last eight games, Paul's shot under 45 percent from the field.
"I couldn't make a shot, couldn't throw a rock in the ocean," Paul said. We had a lot of easy ones tonight that we just couldn't convert."
--Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro tightened his rotation against Memphis on Monday night. Reggie Evans and Bobby Simmons, two regular members of the second unit, didn't play.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We fought back, but obviously didn't finish it out and that was the problem." -- Clippers F Blake Griffin on his team's comeback from 17 down in the fourth quarter of their loss to Memphis Monday night.
ROSTER REPORT
PLAYER NOTES:
--F Blake Griffin had an efficient night on offense, hitting 9-of-14 for 19 points. Griffin, though, was held to his second-lowest rebounding game (six) of the season.
--PG Chris Paul continued to be a ball hawk on the defensive end, picking up three steals. In his last three games, Paul has 15 thefts.
--C DeAndre Jordan scored 14 points Monday to go along with 14 rebounds. It was Jordan's eighth double-double this year.
--G Nick Young has struggled since being acquired, but Monday was especially bad. Young was held scoreless on five shots. In his last three games, Young is just 5-for-19 from the field.
