The Grizzlies hung on to beat the Clippers on the road 90-87 Monday night, ending Los Angeles' four-game winning streak. Memphis has won both matches against the Clippers this season.
The game was tight between the two teams who've met in the playoffs twice in the last three years. Neither team led by more than eight points and there were 12 lead changes and 11 ties.
Mike Conley scored 18 points and dished seven assists. Jeff Green added 16 points, Marc Gasol had 14 points, and Zach Randolph grabbed 10 rebounds as the Grizzlies improved to 15-3 since Green joined the team on Jan. 12.
Chris Paul sparked the Clippers in the second quarter, scoring 11 straight points before they went into halftime leading 44-38.
The Grizzlies erased a seven-point deficit in the 3rd behind Gasol and Green, who had 11 points, including three 3-pointers. His second 3 gave the Grizzlies their first lead since making the game's opening basket, and his third extended their lead to 64-59. The Clippers used a 9-2 run to close the third to take a 68-66 lead into the fourth.
Memphis led by as many as eight in the fourth quarter before Los Angeles scored seven in a row to close to 88-87, but Paul had the ball stolen at the hands of Conley in the final 2 seconds of the game. Conley was fouled with 1.5 to go but made both free throws to seal the victory.
Paul had 30 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, with Jamal Crawford scoring 15 points off the bench.
The Grizzlies will travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Wednesday night before returning home to face the Clippers again on Friday.
Key Stat of the Night
- The Grizzlies outscored the Clippers in the paint 40-26.
Quotes
Player Notes
- Mike Conley had a team high 18 points and seven assists.
- Jeff Green contributed 16 points and six rebounds.
- Marc Gasol scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds.
- Tony Allen put up 10 points.
Next Game:
The Grizzlies West Coast road trip continues Wednesday in Sacramento against the Kings. Catch the action on SportSouth and 92.9FM ESPN Radio at 9:00pm.
Next Home Game:
The Grizzlies will return to FedExForum on Feb. 27 to face the Clippers. First 5,000 fans will receive Grizzlies flip-flops. Doors open at 5pm, so arrive early!