CLIPPERS 101, GRIZZLIES 85: Blake Griffin and Chris Paul each had a double-double as host Los Angeles put an end to a season-high three-game losing streak by topping Memphis.
The Clippers may have saved head coach Vinny Del Negro’s job after rumors he has lost control of the team and his firing was imminent surfaced earlier this week.
Paul scored 19 points and adding 13 assists while Griffin threw down a game-high 20 points and had 10 rebounds. The former slam dunk champion brought the home crowd to its feet with a thunderous reverse jam in the fourth quarter.
Los Angeles seized control of the contest early, closing out the first quarter on a 12-0 run to lead 33-17. Randy Foye kept the momentum going by dropping nine of his 18 points in the third quarter to give the Clippers an 81-61 advantage heading into the final frame.
The Grizzlies, who were playing the first game of back-to-back contests, have lost three consecutive games. Zach Randolph led all Memphis scorers with 14 points.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Clippers guard Mo Williams (toe) didn’t play and is listed as day-to-day. ... Griffin's double-double was his 29th of the campaign. ... Los Angeles has won four straight over Memphis.
Memphis | L.A. Clippers | |
Zach Randolph 14 | Scoring | Blake Griffin 20 |
Mike Conley 9 | Assists | Chris Paul 13 |
Marc Gasol 8 | Rebounds | Blake Griffin 10 |
Tony Allen 4 | Free Throws Made | Blake Griffin 8 |
Mike Conley 2 | Steals | Reggie Evans 2 |
O.J. Mayo 2 | Blocks | Eric Bledsoe 1 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Memphis | 85 | 42.3 | 9-15 | 10-14 | 26 | 37 | 4 | 6 | 17 |
L.A. Clippers | 101 | 50.0 | 5-16 | 24-33 | 24 | 36 | 4 | 8 | 11 |