The Los Angeles Clippers have made their way back into the playoffs after years of disappoints, and they'll be facing a familiar foe when they host the visiting Memphis Grizzlies at 10:30 p.m. ET.
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Via ESPN:
A year ago, the Clippers opened at Memphis and fell into a 27-point hole. They rallied to tie an NBA record for largest deficit overcome in the fourth quarter and won by one point.
"That game was crazy," Chauncey Billups, who was injured and watched from the bench, said Friday. "Safe to say that probably won't happen again."
Then, the Clippers won a Game 7 for the first time in franchise history in Memphis to advance.
"The biggest thing we have this year is more experience," All-Star guard Chris Paul said.
Billups is back in the lineup after missing chunks of the season with various injuries, most recently a strained groin. Coach Vinny Del Negro said Billups will be limited to 20-some minutes.
"I'm excited to be out here and not have to watch in a suit," he said. "We really grew up a lot during that playoff series last year."
Especially All-Star Blake Griffin, who got 11 playoff games under his belt last season before the Clippers were swept by San Antonio.
Griffin practiced Friday and received treatment on his back for the spasms that affected him in the regular-season finale.
"It's still a little tender, but it's not as bad as the other night," he said.
His back locked up while shooting before the game at Sacramento on Wednesday, but he was able to make two big plays at the end of the Clippers' four-point win.
Griffin will need to be at his best to handle All-Star counterpart Zach Randolph, known as an agitator.
"That's his whole M.O. is to frustrate guys, do his thing under the basket," Griffin said. "I like to play physical, too. I don't think I've lost my cool going against him yet."
