Los Angeles Clippers subdue Memphis Grizzlies 98-91 - NBA Recap
On Thursday night, two strong contenders for the playoffs in the Western Conference, Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies battled it out inside the court.
And as expected, it was an absorbing contest.
Both teams displayed excellent skills in the 48 minutes of regular time but it was the Clippers who were rewarded with a victory on the night.
Blake Griffin was phenomenal and barely missed a triple-double. He led the Clippers with 20 points on 8 for 14 from the floor, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Newly acquired super star Chris Paul, who was in his second game after missing
five on a trot due to a hamstring injury, and reserve Mo Williams bundled 18 apiece while Caron Butler amassed 17 points.
The Clippers shot 48.6% from the floor including 9-for-22 from the long range and 70.4% from the free throw line.
Rudy g*y marshalled the Grizzlies with a game high 24 points on 3 for 5 from downtown and 7 boards. Marc Gasol had a double-double with 18 points on a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe and 11 rebounds while Tony Allen and O.J
Mayo both finished with 14 points each.
Grizzlies struggled with their shooting throughout and shot a meagre 35.7% from inside the arc.
Lob City started strongly with a 16-6 run that allowed them to end the first frame with a double digit 12 point lead 29-17. Grizzlies were up to the challenge and rattled an 11-0 spurt at the start of the second frame to get themselves
within striking distance at 28-29.
In the ensuing passage, both teams put up a gallant fight and therefore by the end of first half there was nothing much to differentiate between both; Clippers ahead 45-44.
Third frame was the most exciting of all. The game seesawed as the lead kept on shifting from one side to the other. Scores got levelled on as many as nine instances. With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, scores were
tied at 72 all. DeAndre Jordan then drove up a layup in the last few seconds to put the Clippers ahead 74-72.
The game was very much hanging in balance midway through the deciding frame with Clippers only ahead by 4 points 84-80. A 5-0 run by Los Angeles in the next two minutes changed the complexion of the game, putting Clippers in a
commanding position.
The 9 point deficit proved too much for Grizzlies and despite showing resilience, they still fell short by 7 points in the end.
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