Clippers 101, Grizzlies 92: Jamal Crawford poured in 29 points in his first-ever game with Los Angeles and the Clippers pulled away late to beat Memphis in the season-opening contest for both teams.

The Clippers added Crawford, among others, to create greater depth and give the team a chance to compete with the Western Conference's perennial powers. That depth showed itself against Memphis as Crawford and Eric Bledsoe (13 points) combined for 42 points to help the Los Angeles bench outscore Memphis' reserves by a 49-17 margin.

Crawford and Bledsoe had strong overall games, but starting point guard Chris Paul enjoyed a fantastic stretch late in the game to help the Clippers wrap up the victory. Paul scored six straight points for his team in the fourth quarter, a spurt punctuated by a wicked crossover dribble and layup that put the home team in front 93-88 with 3:37 remaining. Paul finished with 12 points and 12 assists. He was one of four L.A. starters to score in double figures.

Rudy Gay tallied a team-high 25 points for Memphis. Marc Gasol added 20 points, while Zach Randolph racked up 15 points and 16 rebounds. The rest of the Grizzlies, however, combined for 32 points and shot a collective 9-of-37 from the field.

This was the first meeting between these two teams since a contentions series in last season's NBA playoffs, which the Clippers won in seven games. Things got heated on a few occasions, most notably when Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Gasol were assessed double technicals; and again when Randolph scored a UFC-style takedown on the Clippers' Blake Griffin in the fourth quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Clippers sold out their 51st consecutive game at Staples Center, a streak that includes both the regular season and the playoffs. … Jordan almost had a dubious double-double, committing nine turnovers to go with his 12 points. … The Grizzlies lost their 12th straight opener, with all those defeats coming since the team moved from Vancouver to Memphis.