Final
Grizzlies-Clippers Preview
Nov 8, 2015 - 11:06 PM The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping they'll have enough without point guard Chris Paul to knock off the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.The injured Paul is doubtful to play Monday night when the Clippers face visiting Memphis to close a stretch in which they've played five of six at Staples Center.
Paul sat out Saturday's 109-105 home loss to Houston after the eight-time All-Star strained his right groin late in a 112-108 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. Austin Rivers made his first start of the season in Paul's place and scored 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting with one assist and turnover in 31 minutes.
"I didn't think we were very organized. I didn't think we executed very well," coach Doc Rivers told the team's official website. "A lot of that was not the point guard, it was just the way we played."
Rivers is certainly a downgrade at the point with a career 2.02 assist-to-turnover ratio compared to Paul's 4.12. Rivers is also shooting just 38.1 percent, while Paul is averaging 17.0 points and 8.2 assists and shooting 46.2 percent for the Clippers (4-2).
However, six players had at least three assists against the Rockets to help Los Angeles post a season best with 29.
The Clippers have surrendered 47 fast-break points in the last two games compared to 39 in their first four, and gave up 46 points to James Harden.
"Defensively we gave up easy buckets, especially late in the third and beginning of the third," said Blake Griffin, who had 35 points, 11 rebounds and team-high five assists.
Griffin is off to an impressive start, averaging 29.3 points while shooting 59.8 percent, though he's at 35.1 percent in his last four meetings with Memphis.
The Grizzlies (3-4) have dropped three of four on a season-high five-game trip while continuing to struggle on both ends of the court. They lost 89-79 at Utah on Saturday to mark the third time this season they've been held below 80 points.
Memphis shot a paltry 33.0 percent against a Jazz team that has been limiting opponents to 39.4. Mike Conley scored 20 points but was 8 of 25 from the floor, and backcourt mate Courtney Lee went 2 for 10 to fall to 37.1 percent for the season.
The 25 shot attempts were a career high for Conley, who is 12 of 37 in his last four games against the Clippers.
The Grizzlies haven't been able to compensate with good defense, either. Their 101.7 points and 47.0 percent shooting allowed are their worst marks since 2009-10.
"We can be better," coach Dave Joerger said. "They're sticking together. We knew coming in it was a rough patch to our schedule. ... We want to put out better performances on a consistent basis. Now you need every single win, don't get me wrong, in the West. But to go out and play better and be more who we are on a nightly basis would be good."
These have been two of the league's worst 3-point shooting teams with Memphis hitting 27.0 percent and making only 5.3 per game. The Clippers are averaging 107.3 points but are shooting 27.5 percent from long range after finishing third in the NBA last season (37.6).
Since acquiring Paul in 2011, Los Angeles has won the only time it's faced Memphis without him, earning a 99-73 road victory on Jan. 14, 2013.
- MEMPHIS: 92
LOS ANGELES: 94
Final
Nov 10 1:22 AM - End of 4th Quarter.
Nov 10 1:22 AM - MEMPHIS: 92
LOS ANGELES: 94
End of Regulation
Nov 10 1:22 AM - MEMPHIS: 92
LOS ANGELES: 94
End of Regulation
Nov 10 1:21 AM - MEMPHIS: 92
LOS ANGELES: 93
End of Regulation
Nov 10 1:20 AM - MEMPHIS: 92
LOS ANGELES: 93
End of Regulation
Nov 10 1:20 AM - 165
roots - 136
roots - 130
roots - 101
roots - MEMPHIS: 66
LOS ANGELES: 70
End of 3rd
Nov 10 12:25 AM - End of 3rd Quarter.
Nov 10 12:25 AM - MEMPHIS: 66
LOS ANGELES: 70
End of 3rd
Nov 10 12:25 AM - 123
roots - End of 1st Half.
Nov 9 11:42 PM - MEMPHIS: 46
LOS ANGELES: 46
Halftime
Nov 9 11:42 PM - MEMPHIS: 26
LOS ANGELES: 25
End of 1st
Nov 9 11:05 PM - End of 1st Quarter.
Nov 9 11:05 PM - Marc Gasol vs. DeAndre Jordan (J.J. Redick gains possession)
Nov 9 10:41 PM - MEMPHIS: 0
LOS ANGELES: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Nov 9 10:41 PM
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