The Memphis Grizzlies never make it easy on the Los Angeles Clippers, always fighting for every loose ball, defending relentlessly. Nonetheless, the Clippers came away with the two point victory getting back to winning ways.
Once again, Blake Griffin had a solid night and almost quietly too. He played all but ten minutes of this game, and the lead the team with 24 points, 18 of those coming from inside the arch. However, Memphis’ Zach Randolph who performed the best on either side. Randolph seemingly got everything he wanted in front of the rim in the opening half and wound up scoring 26 points, making 12 of his attempted 19 shots with a majority of them being high percentage.
Chris Paul was not going to play a whole lot tonight as he is still recovering from a right groin strain, but unless someone told him otherwise and still put up a relatively good showing. He only attempted ten shots, making four, but did play well defensively limiting Mike Conley to making only six shots from the field.
Late in the game, the two sides traded blow after blow to each other in one of the wildest finishes you will see this season. Out of a time out, with 55 seconds remaining, the ball found JJ Redick and made a straight away three pointer, giving the Clippers a one-point lead. In the following offensive possession, the former Duke star got fouled whilst attempting a shot from beyond the arc and sunk the ensuing free throws to essentially ice the game.
However, it was not as easy at sounds as Matt Barnes drew a foul against Chris Paul which cut the lead to only one point after the former Clipper made all three shots. That was not the end, rather, the chaos had only began.
Marc Gasol got to the line, with three seconds left on the clock, and missed the second free throw attempt. JJ Redick fouled Gasol as he brought down the rebound sending him back to the line for two more shots from the charity stripe. The Spaniard, unfortunately, missed another shot from the foul line. After attempting to run out the clock, Chris Paul got fouled with .03 seconds remaining, making these final few minutes drag on a little while longer. He made the first one and ended the game with a miss on purpose.
This road trip has not been easy for the Memphis Grizzlies as they have now dropped three in a row and it will not get any easier as they have to go to the Bay Area to take on the defending champions, Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Doc Rivers and his squad will travel to Dallas for the first time this season as they take on the Mavericks in what should be a highly contested affair.