Obviously it was a great, great win last night for the Memphis Grizzlies, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 92-80. And while there is plenty to talk about today (we'll have a full recap up in a bit!), between the Grizzlies inability to build 4th-quarter leads, Rudy Gay's "effort," the second-half disappearing act of our interior offense, Chris Paul's groin, Mo Williams' hero ball, etc., it seems as if the big story this morning is, as we're obligated to call it, "Boo-gate."

So, for those who hadn't seen it, let me set the scene: Late in the third quarter of last night's game, Blake Griffin took the ball to the hole, was fouled by Marc Gasol and feel to the floor holding his knee. Simple enough. Enter, "Boo-gate."

Video>>>

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It was early, early on in Game Five, but the Memphis Grizzlies and their home crowd seemed to already be affected by who the Los Angeles Clippers have become in the eyes of many. Zach Randolph picked up his first foul within the first thirty seconds of the opening quarter, and the foreboding sense of "EVERYONE WAS RIGHT, THEY WILL GET THE CALLS NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE SCREWED GOD HELP US" was sprouting up like an ugly weed. It was there, but not for long, because soon after the Grizzlies revealed their obvious focus of starting inside first to Randolph and Marc Gasol. And what we saw was once again the team that looks head and shoulders better in this series in the first half, followed by the Memphis team that could end up shooting and meandering itself right out of the first round.

After the jump, Game Five revisited.

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The important thing is that the Memphis Grizzlies will still be playing basketball this season. The 92-80 Game Five win over the Los Angeles Clippers was filled with promising signs, trademark Grizzlies style and plenty of lulls and concern to mull over before Game Six on Friday.

The point is, though, we're still mulling. Full recap will be with you tomorrow. For tonight, the Grizzlies live on. That is definitely worth celebration.

Here we are, Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers down 3-1 in the series. Win and we live another day (two, to be exact). Lose and we stay home. Big. Game. Everyone.

Let's talk it!

Author’s Note: this is the second of a two-part series in which Kevin and I take a look at where the Grizzlies are right now and where they can be going forward. If you haven't already, do go read his excellent piece, which takes a cynical but honest look at our future prospects. However, it's my job to cheer everyone up. This article will hopefully convince you to remain optimistic both for the remainder of this series as well as the Grizzlies' long-term future. Before you begin, take a long hard look at the cover picture. Then listen to this song. Hopefully you're now in the right state of mind to read this.

Lately, I seem to have developed the nasty habit of talking too much about myself in my posts. Despite my best efforts, those damn first-person pronouns keep forcing their way into everything I write (you see?). Seeing as how the use of the first-person implies that you, the reader, actually care about the writer as a person (which is an honor I certainly haven't earned), it's a habit that really needs to be curtailed. That being said, I think it's important to understand where I'm coming from when I say that the Grizzlies are in a good situation for the relative future. So if you'll forgive me, I'm going to indulge in one more paragraph talking about myself.

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Author’s Note: this is the first of a two-part series in which ForeignFlopper and I take a look at where the Grizzlies are right now and where they can be going forward. My job is to talk about the negative, the bad, the ugly. Scott’s going to cover the good – the things that make us proud and hopeful as Grizzlies fans. Consider this post the dark night before the beautiful breaking dawn.

Folks, we’re in a bad place right now, down 3–1 to a team that everyone thought we were going to beat. In two weeks time, we’ve gone from everyone’s sleeper pick to make the finals to a team that can’t win, can’t score, can’t close out, can’t defend. The guys we’re paying the most money are accomplishing the least. We’ve been taken out of our game plan by the likes of Reggie Evans and Randy Foye. At times, it’s looked like we’re cooked. The guys look bad, and they’ve played worse.

After the jump, let’s plumb the depths of the Grizzlies’ depair, looking at what’s gone wrong against the Clippers and the things that can go the most wrong for the team going forward.

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Look no further.

Tonight, at the Grindhouse, the Grizzlies are either going to win, or they’re going to start their offseason. It’s as simple as that. Down 3–1 after three losses by a combined total of 6 points, and one win by 7, tonight’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers is a must win. Not in the metaphorical sense of "this game is important." Not in the sense of "we need to win this game to prove something." No, this is "we are going to be immediately eliminated from the postseason if we lose another game to the Clippers."

Lots of things have brought us to this point. Our fourth quarter offense looks like five DeMarre Carrolls on the court – all energy and zero execution. Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin are making life difficult for our post players, and as a consequence, no one is passing them the ball. Our perimeter shooting is deader than Elvis. What do we have to do to win tonight, and force a Game 6 in LA?

What’s it going to take to keep our season from ending tonight? Three things, after the jump.

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