NBA playoff schedule 2013, Clippers vs. Grizzlies: Playoff rematch begins in L.A.

For the second year in a row, the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies will square off in the opening round of the playoffs. Here is a complete schedule of the games.

by Aaron Torres

Apr 19, 2013, 2:00 PM UTC

USA TODAY Sports

After contesting a thrilling seven-game, opening-round series in last year's playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers will again get together to open the postseason in 2013. Game 1 will be played Saturday at 10:30 p.m. in Los Angeles on ESPN.

For more on the story, visit Clips Nation and Grizzly Bear Blues

The Clippers won the series between these two clubs and come off the most impressive regular season in franchise history. In 2013, Los Angeles won their first Pacific Division title ever and also won 50 games for the first time in franchise history.

For the Clippers, the key to victory over Memphis will be, as always, the play of point guard Chris Paul. Now in his second year with the franchise, Paul has been spectacular in 2013, averaging 16.8 points and a team-high 9.7 assists. Paul combined with Blake Griffin to provide a solid inside-outside punch for the Clippers, with Griffin averaging team-highs in both points (18.1 per game) and rebounds (8.3) this season.

However, what separates the 2013 Clippers from the one which advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season is their depth. With eight players averaging at least eight points per game, this might be the most talented team top to bottom in the league.

Jamal Crawford could also be a key player in the series. Along with the Knicks' J.R. Smith, Crawford is a front-runner for this season's Sixth Man of the Year award. Despite not starting a single game in 2013, Crawford averaged over 16 points a game for Los Angeles.

For Memphis to avenge their disappointing opening-round playoff loss last year, they will need a big series from their best player, Zach Randolph. After Rudy Gay was traded at mid-season, Randolph became the go-to scorer for the Grizzlies, finishing 2013 with a team-high 15.3 points to go along with over 11 rebounds per game.

Randolph needs to step up after struggling in last year’s postseason. After missing most of the lockout-shortened regular season to injury, Randolph scored just 13.7 points per game in the 2012 playoffs, a number which fell drastically from the 22 points he averaged during the 2011 postseason.

Here is the series schedule.