Memphis Grizzlies vs La Clippers Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

Invincible Grizzlies Prepare for Clippers Challenge

The Memphis Grizzlies, riding high with wins in 12 of their past 14 games, will welcome the Los Angeles Clippers to town on Monday night, showcasing their depth and offensive prowess. Even with star Ja Morant nursing a sore back, the Grizzlies have proven they can thrive, thanks in large part to Scotty Pippen Jr.’s emergence.

Grizzlies Keep Rolling Without Morant

Morant, who suffered a hard fall against Golden State last Thursday, sat out Memphis’ 128-107 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Despite his absence, the Grizzlies never missed a beat. Pippen stepped into the starting lineup and delivered 22 points and nine assists, pacing the NBA’s top-scoring offense (123.1 points per game) to another dominant victory.

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The Grizzlies have demonstrated impressive scoring effectiveness, especially from long range. They set a franchise record by sinking 27 3-pointers against Golden State and then added 18 more against Atlanta. Memphis is just one three-pointer away from matching the NBA record for the highest number made in successive games.

“He’s just growing,” coach Taylor Jenkins said of Pippen. “He’s one of our guys who can really get to the paint consistently, and his chemistry with guys like Zach [Edey] and Brandon Clarke is improving every game.”

Clippers Seeking Consistency

The Clippers travel to Memphis after splitting their games in Dallas, where they capitalized on a Mavericks team without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on Thursday, but fell short when Irving was back on Saturday. Los Angeles fell 113-97 in the rematch, struggling to maintain offensive momentum.

Norman Powell continues to be a bright spot for the Clippers. Leading the team with 23.9 points per game, Powell has been deadly efficient, shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 47.2 percent from deep.

“He’s been fantastic,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Norman has embraced the role and is delivering at a high level every night.”

Kawhi Leonard has yet to make his season debut as he recovers from a right knee injury. Leonard has been participating in contact practices and could return later in the week.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Scotty Pippen Jr. vs. Norman Powell: With Morant potentially sitting out again, Pippen will take center stage against the Clippers’ top scorer. His ability to drive the offense while maintaining defensive intensity will be critical against Powell’s hot shooting.
• Memphis Bench vs. Clippers Depth: The Grizzlies’ bench leads the league in scoring, with players like Santi Aldama contributing big performances, including a 21-point, 14-rebound outing against Golden State. The Clippers’ second unit will need to step up to keep the game competitive.
• Three-Point Battle: Memphis has been lighting it up from beyond the arc, while Los Angeles relies heavily on Powell’s perimeter shooting. Whichever team controls the three-point line could dictate the game’s outcome.

Outlook

The Grizzlies’ mix of depth, scoring ability, and self-assurance makes them a challenging rival, even in Morant’s absence. For the Clippers, remaining competitive depends on Powell’s scoring and the possible return of important players such as Leonard later this week. Memphis will strive to enhance its supremacy at home, while Los Angeles seeks to achieve stability despite persistent difficulties.