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LA Clippers’ strong defense hands Grizzlies first home loss

By Leonard Saldana

Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FedExForum. Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the second half at FedExForum. Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 98-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LA Clippers’ defense took control to win 99-88 in Memphis, but had to survive a late Grizzlies’ run to stay in front.

Chris Paul posted a double-double with 27 points and 11 assists as the LA Clippers (4-1) cruised to a 99-88 victory on the road over the Memphis Grizzlies (3-3). Even with the Clippers owning 21-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies scrapped and clawed their way back into the game, cutting down a 19-point lead to 10 in a matter of a minutes.

Paul broke the 9-0 run by hitting a 15 footer. Mike Conley and Jamal Crawford exchanged three-pointers on the next possessions.

The Grizzlies cut the lead down to single digits with under a minute to play, but Paul came through yet again and scored the last six points by way of free throws to seal the win.

Paul had a rare two blocks and six of the Clippers’ suffocating 17 steals to go along with his flurry of points and dimes, bumping him into first place in the NBA in steals per game so far with 3.8. Blake Griffin added 14 points and 10 rebounds, making it his fourth double-double in five games to start the season. To help anchor the defensive effort, DeAndre Jordan grabbed 21 rebounds and blocked two shots.

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The Clippers collectively shot just 37.6 from the field, failing to reach 40 percent for the second straight game.

Conley led Memphis with 30 points and 10 assists, while Marc Gasol added 21 points and nine rebounds. Zach Randolph continued to shine in his new sixth man role, adding 15 points and nine rebounds off the bench.

The Grizzlies shot 36.9 percent from the field and 34.6 from deep, which shows the trademark of the Clippers’ wins so far: defense.

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Chris Paul’s history:

Paul entered the game needing eight assists to pass Randy Smith to get the all time assist record in Clippers franchise history. Chris dished out the tie breaking assist in the third quarter to J.J. Reddick for a 22-foot jump shot. Paul finished the night with 3,502 assists to Smith’s 3,498.

Notes:

Coming into the game, the Clippers-Grizzlies rivalry has had 32 technical fouls over the last 20 meetings. Tonight was no different, but instead of players getting into a shoving match it was Memphis head coach David Fizdale who was given a technical in the second quarter for disputing a call.

The LA Clippers will head to San Antonio (5-1) on Saturday to complete their back-to-back against the Spurs, now being led by the exceptional play of Kawhi Leonard. Stopping him and his improved handles and shot creation will be an immense challenge (he’s putting up a major career-high of 28.5 points per game so far), not to mention how much disruption he’ll cause as the NBA’s best perimeter defender.

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The Clippers will need to step up at both ends of the floor if they want to take home this must-win game. Tip off is at 8:30pm (ET) on NBATV.

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