An exorcism is being held at FedExForum tonight, and 18,119 are invited.
Things are suddenly trending very well for the Grizzlies in this series, who have the Clippers reeling — on the verge of elimination, on the road, with their second-best player limited if available at all.
But history is too fresh for too many of these Grizzlies players — and certainly their coach — for overconfidence to be a concern. They remember the fourth-quarter collapse in Game 1 last spring. They remember the Game 7 quagmire. They remember losing to this team at FedExForum a few weeks ago, with homecourt likely on the line.
So much work toward this has been done. After losing six of seven games to the Clippers dating back to that Game 7 last spring, the Grizzlies have now won three in a row, all by double figures. After losing closing quarters badly last spring, they’ve won four fourths in a row. After living in fear of Eric Bledsoe, they’ve quieted the beast since his destructive fourth quarter in Game 1.
But the completion of the deed yet awaits.
Sure, it could happen another way. The Clippers could do what the Grizzlies did last season — win a road Game 6 to force a home Game 7. And then the Grizzlies could rip out their hearts on their home floor to complete the mirror image. That would be sweet — but not worth the risk. They want to do this at home, in front of 18,119 “We Don’t Bluff” towels.
What could stand in the way?
