Grizzlies Lose Game 3, Trail 2-1.

The Memphis Grizzlies lost another tough one Saturday afternoon to the Los Angeles Clippers leaving them in a 2-1 series deficit. What makes the loss even more bothersome is that the Grizzlies had a seven-point lead going into the fourth quarter. We have seen the Grizzlies struggle in the fourth quarter already this series. Their offense seems to go stagnant late in games, failing to convert possession after possession. Indeed, at times, they are able to get away with their lack of offense, but not today. The defense was not the suffocating manor that Grizzlies fans have grown to cherish. At one point, I noticed four defenders stationary watching Chris Paul knife right down the center of the lane for a score. That won't get it done in the playoffs, plain and simple. All of this occurred with the team’s best defender on the bench in Tony Allen. There were two straight possessions that O.J. Mayo gave up straightforward baskets to Chris Paul, yet Lionel Hollins refused to sub in Allen.

Allen changed the entire culture of this Grizzlies franchise, and yet for some strange reason played all of a minute in the fourth quarter. I will never understand Lionel Hollins substitution patterns. He left Mareese Speights in the ball game way too long today, as Marc Gasol sat on the bench and watched Speights give up two consecutive offensive rebounds leading to Clipper points. Yet, in spite of all of this, the Grizzlies had the ball with 8.3 seconds left and a chance to win the ball game. However, Rudy Gay’s final jumper went begging and the Grizzlies fell 87-86.

This series is not finished yet. What concerns me is that people continue to talk about the fact that the Grizzlies are the superior team. Yes, that may be true, but the better team doesn’t always win. A series is not decided by opinion. The Grizzlies still have to play, and play they must. Monday night in Los Angeles is the closest thing to a must win ballgame and may be the biggest game in franchise history. Indeed, game 7 against the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals was huge last year, but no one expected Memphis to win that game or series for that matter. The series with the Clippers is one that the Grizzlies should win. They are the favorite. It’s time to put up or shut up. Win on Monday or you will be headed home down 3-1, facing a difficult path to a series victory. However, a victory will change everything including the outlook on the series. Homecourt advantage will return to its rightful owner if the Grizzlies can pull out a win on Monday. Its time for the Grizz to show that grit and tenacity that got them to the playoffs. They can't afford not to. 

--GM