- Grizzlies-Clippers: Two storied franchises face off in a bitter grudge match.
1. One to Get: The Grizzlies finally got a win Saturday over the Minnesota Timberwolves after a demoralizing seven-game losing streak. That was a game the Grizzlies were in good position to win, and so is this one. A win streak — even only two games — would do this team a lot of good.
The Clippers have lost four of five games since beating the Grizzlies 113-110 in Los Angeles November 7th and are now playing not only without top pick Blake Griffin but second-year emerging star Eric Gordon, who is out with a groin injury. The Clippers come into FedExForum — much like the Wolves did — on the second night of a back-to-back set, having lost 110-102 to the New Orleans Hornets last night. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have had three days rest and have had a chance to start putting the Allen Iverson distraction behind them.
The Grizzlies played the Clippers well in Los Angeles — the team’s first game following Iverson’s butt-soreness-prompting departure — building a slim lead midway through the fourth quarter but executing poorly down the stretch (a previously hot Rudy Gay forcing too many shots). Gay had a three-point look to tie at the buzzer, but missed (and foot was on the line anyway). Tonight the Grizzlies get to make up for one that got away.
