The Los Angeles Clippers look to rebound from their last-second loss Wednesday night when they host the Memphis Grizzlies today in a day game at Staples Center. It's hard to look at a 5-18 record and say a team is playing well, but the Clippers really have been playing better of late. After a 1-13 start to the season, the Clippers are 4-5 in their last nine games, including two wins over teams (Hornets, Spurs) that at the time had the best record in the NBA.
The Clippers are 4-2 in their last six home games, including Wednesday's close defeat at the hands of Derek Fisher and the Lakers. After allowing 100 points or more in nine straight games, the Clippers have held opponents under the century mark five times in their last nine games, and have won four of those games. This season, the Clippers are 5-4 when they allow fewer than 100 points, and 0-14 when their opponent scores in triple digits.
Aside from the record, the Clippers have simply been a fun team to watch this season. They have for the better part of the last month started an all-23-and-under lineup, with three rookies and two third-year players. Blake Griffin has become a Rookie of the Year favorite, and has provided countless highlights on slam dunks alone. Griffin is also second in the NBA with 16 double-doubles, and is averaging 20 points and 11.7 rebounds per game this season. Eric Gordon has assumed the role of team leader this year, and is averaging 24.3 points per contest. The shooting guard is also seventh in the league with 192 free throw attempts, averaging over nine attempts per game.
The Grizzlies are led by Rudy Gay, who is averaging a career-high 21.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season. Gay is also leading the NBA with 40.9 minutes per game. Zach Randolph is scoring at 17.6 points per game, and is fourth in the NBA averaging 11.8 rebounds per contest. The Grizzlies are just 3-9 on the road this season, while the Clippers are 5-8 at home.
Chris Kaman, who has missed the last two games with his sprained left ankle that kept him out of 11 straight games earlier this season, is listed as day-to-day. Randy Foye is out with a strained left hamstring, and will miss his seventh straight game.
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