On the second night of a back to back, the Los Angeles Clippers made quick work of the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies. Led by Danilo Gallinari, the Clippers thumped the Grizzlies Sunday night 113-96.
If it wasn’t obvious, the game wasn’t as close as that score would indicate.
After a slow first quarter from both teams, Los Angeles stormed to a near 30 point lead between the second and third quarters. Memphis almost snuck back into the game after Los Angeles took their foot off the gas to start the fourth, but they were unable to get it to single digits as the Clippers quickly reasserted themselves.
Gallinari led the way with 27 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Montrzel Harrell added 20 points of his own off the bench while Lou Williams and JaMychal Green combined for 32. For the Grizzlies, Delon Wright and Tyler Dorsey scored 20 and 14 points apiece, while Chandler Parsons added 14 off the bench. No other Grizzlies player scored in double figures.
OBSERVATIONS
Quiet Offensive Night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After some impressive offensive performances, including multiple 20 points games, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took a back seat on offensive Sunday night.
Gilgeous-Alexander was his usual self on the defensive end — he finished with four steals and two blocks — but the rookie point guard was far more reserved with his shot than he has been in recent weeks. On the night, he took just six shots and finished with six points, four rebounds and three assists.
Los Angeles has looked their best this season when Gilgeous-Alexander has been the aggressor on offense. And, with important games against the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz looming, Doc Rivers should and likely will push Gilgeous-Alexander to return to that mindset.
Another Impressive Night for JaMychal Green
After 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday, Green followed up with another impressive performance against the Grizzlies.
Green finished the game with 15 points and five rebounds on five-for-eight shooting from the floor and three-for-five from three.
The Grizzlies are in a Sorry State
The Grizzlies have been obliterated by injuries throughout the season, and that was no different Sunday night against the Clippers.
A shell of the team that started the season, Memphis was without Joakim Noah, Mike Conley and Avery Bradley on Sunday and lost Jonas Valanciunas during the game. They have lost multiple, important contributors to injury over the course of the season, including Dillon Brooks, CJ Miles, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Kyle Anderson.
To keep it short, it hasn’t exactly been a fun time for anyone in Memphis, player and fan alike.
QUESTIONS
Can the Clippers Push for 50 Wins?
With the win Sunday night, the Clippers pushed their record to 47-31. With four games left, could they reach 50 wins?
If they want to it’ll be tough; three of those four games are against the Rockets, Jazz and Golden State Warriors. The fourth, against home-town rival Los Angeles Lakers, is also no guarantee despite the fact that they have shut down LeBron James, among others, for the rest of the season.
The way this season has gone for the Clippers, almost anything seems possible — don’t be surprised if they do reach that 50-win mark.
How Hard Must it be for Jerome Robinson?
Jerome Robinson has had it tough all season long.
The 13th overall pick, Robinson was unable to carve out any sort of role in his rookie season. Meanwhile, fellow draftee Gilgeous-Alexander was given the ultimate opportunity — a starting spot and heavy minutes — almost from the jump.
Adding insult to injury, Robinson has had to watch Landry Shamet, the 26th pick, come in midseason and run with the starting spot next to Gilgeous-Alexander right away.
With the season all but over, there isn’t exactly time left for Robinson to seize any kind of role. However, he could certainly (and, hopefully, he does) use these experiences as motivation for a better sophomore campaign.
PREDICTION
Clippers Continue to Shock the NBA, Finish with 50 wins
While they need some things to break in their favor, homecourt advantage is still very much in play for the Clippers with four games left. And, if they are to take that fourth seed from the Rockets, 50 wins will almost be a necessity.
The Clippers went 13-2 in March. Expect those winning ways to carry over into April and these last days of the regular season.
