The Postgame Cleanup is presented by ServiceMaster. In their final home contest of the calendar year, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 115-112 Saturday night at FedExForum.
Tyreke Evans posted 30 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, his third career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists. Marc Gasol recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season. James Ennis III had 14 points off the bench, one shy of a season high.
Austin Rivers led all scorers with a career-high 38 points one night after scoring 36 in a win at Houston. Lou Williams added 36 points off the bench, as the two became the first duo to score at least 35 points in the same regular season game against the Grizzlies since Gilbert Arenas (37 points) and Antawn Jamison (35 points) did it on Feb. 27, 2006 – a 108-98 Grizzlies win.
With neither team reaching a double-digit advantage through two quarters, the Grizzlies trailed 37-43 with 8:54 remaining in the second quarter before going on their biggest run of the contest, outscoring the Clippers 13-6 over the next 3:52 to give them 53-49 edge and the edge they would maintain the rest of the game.
Los Angeles would pull within three with 1:02 remaining after trailing as many as 16 behind a 15-3 rally late in the fourth-quarter that made for a nail-biting finish. Evans steal on the Clippers’ final possession put an end to Memphis’ three-game losing streak.
The Grizzlies’ 115 points were a season high, and Memphis improved to 2-0 in the season series with Los Angeles.
Next Game
The Grizzlies begin a five-game road trip starting in Phoenix when they take on the Suns Tuesday, December 26. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. CT. Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN.
Key Stats of the Night
- The Grizzlies owned a 15-6 advantage on the offensive boards and as a result scored 20 second chance points to Los Angeles’ six.
Key Run of the Night
- Memphis scored nine straight points to stretch a three-point lead (77-74) into a 12-point advantage (86-74) with 2:27 left in the third quarter. The Grizzlies led by 15 (112-97) with 4:00 remaining in the game before the Clippers used a 15-3 run to pull within three (115-112) with 1:00 on the clock. Los Angeles had a chance to tie on the game’s final possession before Tyreke Evans stole the ball with a half-second left.
Team Quotes
Player Notes
- Tyreke Evans (30 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds) recorded his third career 30-point 10-assist game (second this season) and his third 30-point outing of the season. It also marks Evans’ fourth double-double this season.
- Evans knocked down a career-high six three-pointers.
- Marc Gasol (17 points, 15 rebounds) posted his 15th double-double of the season after recording 11 last season.
- Kobi Simmons tallied season highs in points (6), rebounds (4) assists (3), field goals (3) and recorded his first career block.
- Andrew Harrison scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half.
- James Ennis III (14 points) fell just one point shy of his season-high and shot 6-of-8 from the field.
- Austin Rivers (38 points) and Lou Williams (36 points) are the first duo to score at least 35 points in the same regular season game against the Grizzlies since Washington's Gilbert Arenas (37) and Antawn Jamison (35) did so at FedExForum on February 27, 2006.
- Rivers (14-20 FG) recorded a career-high in scoring for the second straight game.
- Williams’ 36 points are the second highest total for a bench player in the NBA this season (37, Will Barton on Nov. 30). Williams has also recorded three of the four highest scoring totals for a bench player. Williams also has the two highest scoring totals for a reserve against the Grizzlies after he poured in 40 points for the Lakers last season on Dec. 3, 2016.
- DeAndre Jordan grabbed 18 of his team’s 37 rebounds, his 11th game with at least 18 rebounds this season.