The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on Monday.

The Grizzlies (28-28) come into this matchup losing their last two games and that has dropped them right back to .500. Prior to that, Memphis won 15 of their previous 19 games and that run catapulted them up to the eight-seed in the west. They now find themselves 3.5 games up on the Portland Trail Blazers in eighth and it's nice to have a small cushion like that with the stretch run right around the corner. It'll be interesting to see if this young team can hold on to that spot too, especially with Jaren Jackson Jr missing the next two weeks because of a knee issue. He's one of the most valuable players on this team and losing him is obviously going to hurt their chances, particularly with the toughest schedule in the NBA ahead of them.

The Clippers (37-19) enter this matchup in the midst of a three-game losing streak and it has people wondering just how good this team really is. What needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that Paul George continues to deal with hamstring issues. One has to believe that they're just trying to keep him healthy for the postseason but it's scary that it's been a reoccurring issue all season long. What it also has done is threaten this team's hopes at homecourt in the playoffs. Los Angeles is now third in the east and just one game up of the Utah Jazz in fifth. Falling all the way down to fifth would be an absolute nightmare too, with Los Angeles owning a 22-6 record at home and a 15-13 record outside of LA. That's why Kawhi Leonard called his team out, saying now is the time to start playing better.

These teams have played twice this season, with the road team winning both outings. Prior to that, the Clippers won five of their previous six outings against the Grizzlies.