LA Clippers, Austin Rivers take it to Memphis Grizzlies, 115-106

The LA Clippers earned their second win in a row by coming back from a double-digit deficit at half time to win 115-106 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Austin Rivers scored a season-high 28 points with seven assists to lead the LA Clippers (24-14) to their second straight win, beating the Memphis Grizzlies (22-16) 115-106.

DeAndre Jordan was a monster on the glass yet again with 20 rebounds to go along with his 18 points. J.J. Redick shook off some early misses to chip in 19 points. Jamal Crawford came off the bench and added 22 points, four assists and some strong pick-and-rolls with Jordan. The Clippers finished with five players in double figures.

Marc Gasol scored a team-high 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, and Mike Conley with 17 points and 12 assists. Tony Allen known for strong defense scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds.

The Clippers shot the lights out from the start of the game in the first, shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 4-of-7 from three. Such hot shooting could have lead to a larger lead to in the first if not for the turnovers. They’ve had problems with turnovers in this recent stretch, finishing the first with five turnovers before controlling themselves for a solid 13 in the game.

In the second quarter the Clippers had a problem scoring and stopping the Grizzlies from getting the shots they wanted. Memphis shot 62 percent from the field in the second and added another five three pointers to go from down one at the end of the first to a 10-point lead at half time. Austin scored nine of his 28 in the second quarter to help keep the lead from stretching even further.

The Clippers went on a 18-4 tear in the third to get back into the game after being down 12. Jordan dominated on the boards for the third, grabbing nine rebounds. However, it was the Austin Rivers show as he consistently got to the basket and not settling for jump shots, finishing the night 10-of-16 from the floor. The Grizzlies could not stop Austin from getting to the rim and scoring.

In the fourth quarter L.A. buckled down to hold the Grizzlies to 22 percent shooting and ran them off the three-point line. The Clippers got stops when they needed to and forced Memphis into some questionable shots. Crawford got hot in the fourth quarter as well to lead all scorers in the final 12 minutes with nine.

The Clippers controlled the boards (45-43), and shot 50.7 percent for the game while holding the Grizzlies to 43 percent for the game. The game came with energy, and the players fought with a different spirit. Something the players and coaches have stated before that needed to change. The role players need to step up, so once the starters come back they will a stronger team overall.

Notes

Memphis had four players sit, leaving their rotation a little light.

Despite missing Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers remain in top ten in offensive rating (6th) and defensive rating (10th).

Paul (hamstring) is still day-to-day.

The Clippers have not had a single-digit turnover game in 18 games (December 2nd).

Chuck the Condor did his best Conor McGregor impression.

Up next

The LA Clippers take on the Sacramento Kings in a battle of the centers. DeMarcus Cousins, one of the best offensive players in the game, against DeAndre Jordan, one of the best defensive players in the game. The Kings are 6-4 in the last ten games and are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat.

Next: Could Speights be the missing piece?

The previous matchup between these two California teams took place in mid November with the Clippers getting a win led by Griffin’s 29 points. The Clips could have Chris Paul back if the soreness in his hamstring subsides by game day.