Redick And Griffin Lead Clippers Past Grizzlies, 94-86
LOS ANGELES (AP) — J.J. Redick and Blake Griffin scored 18 points each and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away down the stretch to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 94-86 on Saturday night to take a step toward securing home-court advantage for the playoffs.
DeAndre Jordan had 16 points and 16 rebounds and Chris Paul had 15 points and 14 assists to help the Clippers win their fifth in a row.
They could finish anywhere from second to sixth in the tightly bunched Western Conference. Wins in their last two games could allow the Clippers to open their fourth consecutive playoff appearance at home.
Zach Randolph had 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who lost starter Marc Gasol to a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter. Beno Udrih, who finished with 14 points, also was out for a stretch before returning in the game's closing minutes. Jeff Green added 15 points.
The Clippers blew an 11-point lead and Memphis tied it early in the fourth. Neither team led by more than three points for a stretch when they traded baskets. The Clippers got some breathing room on five straight points by Paul to make it 87-81. Griffin chipped in four in a row to give Los Angeles its largest lead of the fourth, 91-83.
Green hit Jordan in the face after Jordan had secured a rebound with 20 seconds left. Jordan made both, going 4 of 5 from the line in the game, while Green missed a 3-pointer in the waning seconds.
Memphis closed the third on a 10-0 run to trail 69-68. Lee scored six in a row after Udrih went down on the court and headed to the bench.
The Clippers outscored the Grizzlies 15-2, including 11 in a row, to take their largest lead, 69-58. Jordan highlighted the run with a putback dunk of Griffin's missed hook, while Matt Barnes, Griffin and Paul scored four each.
Things got testy when Kosta Koufos and Griffin fell down in unison, with Griffin landing on top of Koufos, who used two hands to push him off. Griffin grabbed at Koufos' jersey and both were assessed double technicals.
TIP-INS
Grizzlies: G-F Tony Allen sat out his seventh straight game with a strained left hamstring. ... G Mike Conley missed his second game in a row with a sprained right foot. ... They split the season series 2-2.
Clippers: Jordan had his 45th double-double. ... They signed G Lester Hudson to a multi-year deal coming off his 10-day contract. He has averaged 2.3 points and 1.7 steals in three games. "He's a solid defender and I like his toughness," coach Doc Rivers said. ... New York Giants player Odell Beckham Jr. attended.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: At Golden State on Monday night.
Clippers: Host Denver on Monday night.
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