GRIZZLIES

cal superstar, all-world player like the Thunder has in Kevin Durant.

But the one extravagance the Griz can enjoy in the playoffs is an elite low-post game, led by Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, that is a priceless commodity.

Playoff basketball is usually associated with a half- court, slow grind. That style of play is the Grizzlies’ specialty given Randolph and Gasol are arguably the best plodding frontcourt duo in the NBA. Not many teams are equipped for such a matchup and that alone gives the Griz confidence they can make a run.

“You’re not going to average 105 points in the playoffs. It becomes a possession game and we’ve got possession players,” said veteran swingman Mike Miller, who won back-to-back titles with the Miami Heat before rejoining the Griz. “You’re making teams match up to us instead of the other way around.”

Randolph and Gasol gave opponents a preview of what could be in store this postseason given their dominance during the Grizzlies’ last five regularseason games. In the four games before the regular-season finale against Dallas last Wednesday, the combo averaged 38.6 points, 21.1 rebounds, six assists and 56-percent shooting. Gasol and Randolph then combined for 46 points on 20-of-35 shooting, 23 rebounds and 10 assists (Gasol had nine) in an overtime win that propelled the Griz to the seventh seed.

Randolph shot just 37 percent against the Thunder this season but still averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds in four games. He’s determined to be more efficient.

“I just have to pick and choose my spots,” Randolph said. “When they double-team, I’ve got to hit the open man. You know, just play the right way. If they put a bigger guy on me, I just take him to the outside or go quicker to the basket.”

The beauty of Randolph and Gasol’s effectiveness together is that they don’t step on each other’s toes. They stomp all over the counterparts, using muscle, agility, size and basketball knowledge to methodically wear down the opposition with unparalleled versatility and interchangeability.

“One is a little bit more of a high-post player but can still go down low. The other is more of a low-post player but can still come out high, and passes better than you think,” Griz coach Dave Joerger said. “So offensively, it’s pretty cool.”

Teams that spread the floor and rely heavily on 3-pointers often sacrifice free throw attempts, offensive rebounds and secondchance opportunities. Plus, having two big guys inside tends to force opponents to double-team inside and leave shooters open on the perimeter.

Randolph understands this as well as any power forward in the game. He’s not easy to move when he establishes post position. Randolph’s strength and savvy inside usually leads to a high-percentage shot around the rim, an offensive rebound and putback basket or a crisp pass to a teammate cutting to the rim.

“Zach might have the quickest feet of any big man in this league,” point guard Mike Conley said. “People don’t understand how quick he is to go with how strong he is on top of that. He’s so talented with his footwork. People think he’s just a brawler and big bully but he’s got the best touch around the rim I’ve seen. He’s really got a lot of finesse in his game.”

If Randolph isn’t bullying his way to the basket then he’s jab stepping the defender until there’s enough space for him to attempt a feathery midrange shot. Gasol likes to attempt elbow jump shots at the foul line but will rumble through the lane with an occasional hook.

But Gasol, the league’s reign- ing Defensive Player of the Year, is no fan of the so-called “stretch four” and sounds unapologetic when preaching about how much it means to be big and physical down low.

“Especially defensively, because you’re taking away the paint,” he said. “You’ve got two guys taking away that paint. Teams shoot a lot of 3s now, but you’ve got to have a lot of shooters and they’ve all got to be hot for a lot of games to win that way. I always feel like you have to play two bigs that play big. That’s the only way to win it all unless you’ve got LeBron James.” There’s only one King James. And you’d be hard-pressed to duplicate the Grizzlies’ dynamic duo.

“It’s a lost art,” Randolph said about dominant low-post scoring. “I have a game that a lot of guys don’t have no more. And Marc is the best center in the league. We’re the best at what we do. It’s like I’ve said before, sometimes we have to remind everybody.”