Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES – As J.J. Redick’s 3-pointer went down, the Clippers’ 4-for-18 start from long range was just a distant memory.
On a night where neither the Clippers (5-2) nor the Grizzlies (3-5) could sustain much offensively, Redick picked the right time to nail his second 3-pointer of the game, giving the Clippers a one-point lead with 55 seconds remaining against the Grizzlies.
He followed by getting fouled on his next 3-point attempt and knocking down three free-throws which appeared to be the dagger Monday night.
But plenty of dramatics followed in what would ultimately be a 94-92 Clippers win.
Next Game: 11/11
Just as it appeared the Clippers could let out a sigh of relief following the Redick free throws, former Clipper Matt Barnes was fouled on a 3-point attempt with eight seconds left, hitting all three free-throws to bring the Grizzlies within lead within a point.
Jamal Crawford followed by hitting two free throws on a night the Clippers went 33-of-37 from the line – and needed all of them.
On the other end, Marc Gasol hit 1-of-2 free throws before Crawford followed by doing the same. That put the Clippers ahead by three points once again, and again Gasol went 1-of-2 from the line. But Gasol followed the missed free throw with a rebound and picked up a foul to go back to the line.
Gasol hit the first of two free throws and had a chance to tie the game at 93 apiece, but once again the second free throw was off the mark, as the Clippers pulled down the rebound and the win.
Neither team ever led by double digits, despite runs from both sides. Every time one team seemed to be gaining momentum, a turnover or a short spurt from the other side would tighten the gap.
The Clippers entered the night third in the league in offensive rating, but playing the Grizzlies can mean a grind-out style. That’s how the Clippers had to win it in a low-scoring contest featuring 14 lead changes.
Runs came quickly both ways in the third quarter, with the Grizzlies beginning on a 6-0 run, which was followed by a 7-0 Clippers run, which was followed by a 4-0 Memphis run. In the end, the score never got lopsided in either direction, with both teams within four points of each other after each quarter.
The Clippers again went on a run late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, leading by as many as eight points, before the Grizzlies chipped away. A bucket from Blake Griffin, who finished with a team-high 24 points and 12 rebounds, gave the Clippers an 81-80 lead. The Clippers and Grizzlies continued to trade baskets, with Memphis taking an 86=84 lead prior to Redick’s clutch late 3-pointer.
Redick finished with 16 points. Head coach Doc Rivers said Chris Paul (groin) would return to the lineup on a minutes restriction, but the starting point guard ended up playing 33 minutes, scoring 14 points with four assists. DeAndre Jordan added 13 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
