A pair of Western Conference playoff contenders will meet at different points of their season-long journey when the Los Angeles Clippers face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
The Grizzlies are roaring into the All-Star break, having won 11 of their past 13 games, while the Clippers continue to work on their identity for the road ahead as star Kawhi Leonard approaches his 15th game of the season. Leonard has increased his playing time past the 30-minute mark in each of the past two games as he rounds into top form after not playing in any of Los Angeles’ first 34 games due to knee soreness.
While Leonard has averaged 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists this season, he managed just 10 points and five rebounds in the Clippers’ 130-110 home victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday. It was Leonard’s third lowest scoring game of the season, and he did not take a 3-point attempt for the first time. He has committed a season-high of five turnovers in each of his past two games.
The Clippers did get 17 assists from James Harden on Saturday, and on Wednesday, they are expected to add Bogdan Bogdanovic into the fold. Bogdanovic was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline. Los Angeles also signed Ben Simmons on Monday.
The Grizzlies head to Southern California after a 119-112 road victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Ja Morant scored 26 points and Desmond Bane added 20 as Memphis earned the victory one game after a 125-112 home loss to the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday. The Grizzlies have won five of their past six road games.
The Tuesday victory guaranteed the Grizzlies will remain alone in second place in the conference through the break. Memphis will be out to end a four-game losing streak to Los Angeles, having gone 2-6 against the Clippers over the past three seasons.
The Clippers earned a 114-110 victory over the Grizzlies on Dec. 23 at Memphis when Los Angeles leading scorer Norman Powell put up four of his team-best 29 points in the final 25 seconds. The Grizzlies got 24 points from Jaren Jackson Jr. and 23 from Morant.
Morant has averaged 22.3 points in 13 games against the Clippers, while Harden has averaged 23.1 points in 48 games versus the Grizzlies.
