CLIPPERS 101, GRIZZLIES 97 (OT): Chris Paul scored eight of his 27 points in overtime and host Los Angeles seized a commanding 3-1 series lead over Memphis.
Blake Griffin added 30 points, including a big three-point play in the extra session, to help the Clippers prevail after blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.
Paul also had nine rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, which can wrap up the series Wednesday night in Game 5 at Memphis.
Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley had 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and hit a layup to cut a six-point overtime deficit to 99-97 with 10.1 seconds to play.
Mo Williams hit a pair of free throws with 7.2 seconds left to seal it for the Clippers, who have won their three games by a total of six points.
Rudy Gay bounced back from a dismal first half to score 23 points for the Grizzlies, who erased a 10-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes of regulation.
After Memphis rallied to take a 72-71 lead early in the fourth, the Clippers used an 11-0 burst, getting a conventional three-point play from Griffin and 3-pointers from Nick Young and Williams to match their biggest lead at 82-72 with 5:16 to play.
The Grizzlies stormed back as Gay scored eight points in a 13-3 run to knot it at 85-85 with 35.5 seconds left.
Paul drove the lane for a layup to put Los Angeles back on top with 26.9 seconds to go, but Zach Randolph hit a pair of tying free throws six seconds later and Paul was unable to get off a last shot.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Clippers carried a 69-64 lead into the fourth quarter - the first time in the series they were not trailing after three. ...Memphis had an 18-0 edge in second-chance points in regulation, but Los Angeles got a pair of decisive second-chance baskets in overtime. ... The Clippers had history on their side. In their postseason history, they have won all eight Game 4 matchups. ... Randolph was slapped with a technical foul for chest-bumping Griffin after fouling him late in the second quarter.
Memphis | L.A. Clippers | |
Mike Conley 25 | Scoring | Blake Griffin 30 |
Mike Conley 8 | Assists | Blake Griffin 7 |
Zach Randolph 9 | Rebounds | Chris Paul 9 |
Marc Gasol 6 | Free Throws Made | Blake Griffin 10 |
Mike Conley 1 | Steals | Reggie Evans 2 |
Marc Gasol 3 | Blocks | DeAndre Jordan 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Memphis | 97 | 43.4 | 4-13 | 21-27 | 18 | 47 | 4 | 2 | 17 |
L.A. Clippers | 101 | 44.7 | 5-16 | 28-40 | 18 | 36 | 8 | 8 | 12 |