NBA Playoffs Western Conference Round 1 Defining Moment

Every series has a defining moment. It’s when the will, skill, or impact proves that one team can’t match up with the other. Weather it be rebounding or a superstar putting their mark on a game, it’s usually something that the receiving team has been able to withstand, but the sustained execution and resistance of these dominant forces proves to be too much at these defining moments.

In the shadows of statues, championship banners, and retired jerseys of basketball greats at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, can the 4^th Seeded Los Angeles Clippers make it out of the 1^st round? No. Anyone watching the Clippers and Grizzlies play Game 5 in the best of 7 series, could see clearly that the Grizzlies’ dominated the paint and controlled the pace of the game in their favor, all thanks to their core of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Up 3-2, the Grizzlies will be playing in Memphis in a series-deciding Game 6.

The Clippers are always at their best in transition offense. This series has forced them to create offensive opportunities more frequently in the half court. Luckily, they have Chris Paul, who is arguably the best point guard. Paul shoots a good percentage of 3 point field goals, get to the Free-Throw line, score lay ups in transition, and leads his teammates with aggressive (sometimes dirty) play. Surely, Clippers management hoped that he and 1-time Finals MVP and NBA veteran Chauncey Billups could split responsibilities, creating shots for themselves and teammates. While it could happen, and the likes of Jamal Crawford and Eric Bledsoe can contribute more fast-break points, that won’t change the outcome of this series.

Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan established their dominance over the large front line of Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the season, but Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are a duo that the Lob City headliners can’t seem to match.

The toll of dealing with the dominance of Gasol and Randolph rebounding the ball in particular, impacts the speed the Clippers use to win so many games. So even though Gasol put on a remarkable display of shooting and offensive skill in the 3^rd Quarter of Game 5, it’s his defensive toughness and forceful presence that will allow the Grizzlies to dominate the rest of this series. Those possessions where Gasol and Randolph are jostling for interior position are the defining moment of the series. It forces the Clippers front line to exert so much energy and focus, to the task of rebounding, and accounting for the 300 point forwards, who don’t seem to go away.

Chris Paul could be the ultimate answer in a pivotal Game 6. Paul is a superstar with a propensity to bail his team out of late-shot clock, and keep them within single digits of taking a lead back. He’s already made a game winning shot with under 3 seconds left of Game 2. Maybe he can put together a superhuman performance to thwart a Grizzlies team that is poised to advance. Some would surely compare the prowess of Paul to that of an Isaiah Thomas. The only thing Paul is missing is a Joe Dumars-esque sidekick, who works towards maximizing the perimeter capabilities of the offense and would give the Clippers a decisive edge in this series.

The Grizzlies have the opportunity to close out the Clippers in Game 6. Chris Paul will fight, Blake Griffin will still be hurting from a high ankle sprain, and DeAndre Jordan should show up ready to rebound but this match up against the hungry Grizzlies presents to many problems to overcome. Marc Gasol and Zach Ranolph will have to maintain their dominance, but if they respond to the inevitable surge of speed and energy from the Clippers- who will be fighting for their playoff lives- the Grizzlies will move on to the 2^nd round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs.