The Los Angeles Clippers got what they needed on the road in the first two games of their first round NBA playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, a road split. Now Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and the gang are back home at Staples Center in Los Angeles, looking to hold serve and take control of the series. Here is a look at Game 3 by the numbers.
Butler Preparing To Play?: Caron Butler missed Game 2 after fracturing the fifth metacarpal bone in his left hand in the third quarter of Game 1, but has been shooting before Saturday's game, possibly preparing to play. Butler had 12 points and two rebounds in 23 minutes last Sunday in Game 1.
Paul Does It All: In Game 2 Wednesday night in Memphis, Chris Paul led both teams with 29 points, six assists, five steals, and five turnovers. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, there have only been two other times in the NBA playoffs during the last two years that a player had game highs in all four categories: Paul himself with the Hornets against the Lakers in the 2011 first round, and Russell Westbrook for the Thunder against the Grizzlies in last year's conference semifinals.
Young On Fire: Clippers guard Nick Young, who was instrumental in the fourth quarter comeback in Game 1 on Sunday, has made 10 of 16 field goals (62.5%) so far during the series, including 6-of-7 from three-point range (85.7%).
Crash Those Boards: The Grizzlies obliterated the Clippers with 16 offensive rebounds in Game 2, rebounding 40% of their missed field goals. The Clippers had just four offensive rebounds, grabbing 16% of their missed field goals, helping Memphis to an 18-6 advantage in second chance points.
Home vs. Road: The Clippers were 24-9 at home this season, including a pair of wins against the Grizzlies in Los Angeles. Dating back to 2011, the Clippers are 40-14 in their last 54 home games. The Grizzlies were 15-18 on the road this season.
For more in depth discussion and analysis of the Los Angeles Clippers, be sure to read Clips Nation. For more on the Grizzlies, check out Straight Outta Vancouver.