If the Memphis Grizzlies want to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 of the 2013 NBA playoffs Tuesday night, power forward Zach Randolph is going to have to take them there. There is no question Randolph is the key if Memphis wants to take a 3-2 lead back to Memphis for Game 6.
Randolph has done an outstanding job containing Clippers power forward Blake Griffin. Even though Griffin is averaging 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the series, he is known to put up far better numbers than that. In fact, Griffin has only really dominated in two of the four games.
Meanwhile, Randolph has been terrific on offense in which he is winning that battle against Griffin as well. The 31-year-old veteran is averaging 19.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game while shooting 56.4 percent from the field. It is obviously something that has to be a concern for the Clippers as Griffin has yet to shut down Randolph in any of the four contests. It is true Randolph only scored 13 points in each of the first two games, but he was efficient enough in both contests for it to be effective.
The one thing Randolph must watch out for in Game 5 is getting in foul trouble. The 12th year player recorded five personal fouls in the first three games and was whistled for four in Game 4. Los Angeles will have a game plan to go right after him with several players, including Griffin, to get him knocked out of the contest with six personal fouls. However, if Randolph can hold his ground and play smart he should be able to stay afloat.
