MEMPHIS – Defense remains the Clippers’ (4-1) calling card early this season, and despite a late surge from the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter, it was once again defense and forced turnovers putting the Clippers’ in control throughout Friday’s matchup.
Here are five quick takeaways from the Clippers’ 99-88 win against the Grizzlies (3-3) in the first game of a road back-to-back.
1) Paul sets franchise record – Chris Paul’s used to waiting for J.J. Redick to come off a screen to hit the sharpshooter for a bucket. This one was different, though, as Paul found Redick for a floater with 9:33 left in the third quarter, giving him his eighth assist of the night and 3,499th as a Clipper, passing Randy Smith for the team’s all-time record in assists. Paul finished with 27 points, 11 assists and a second straight game with six steals.
2) Defense – Even as the offense has fluctuated early in the season, the Clippers’ defense might be its most consistent attribute, and that was on full display in Memphis. The Clippers went on a 20-4 run in the second quarter, holding Memphis to four points in an eight-minute stretch. Strong second-quarter defensive displays have become a trend for the Clippers, who outscored the Grizzlies 30-15 in the quarter. Though there was some slippage late, with the Grizzlies scoring 31 points in the quarter and cutting what was once a 21-point lead down to seven, the Clippers held the Grizzlies to 22 points or fewer in each of the first three quarters.
3) Forcing turnovers – Memphis shot just 36.9 percent in the game, and while the Clippers are forcing teams into tough shots, they’re also forcing plenty of mistakes. The Clippers entered the night forcing a league-leading 18.8 turnovers per game, and it was much of the same Friday, forcing 19 Memphis turnovers and turning them into 30 points.
4) Jordan boardin’ – A single-digit rebounding game for DeAndre Jordan is a rarity. After pulling down six rebounds against Oklahoma City, Jordan predictably bounced back in a big way on the glass, recording a season-high 21 rebounds to go with two blocks.
5) Paul Pierce active – While he didn’t play, Pierce was active for the first time this season after missing the first four games of the year with an ankle injury. Pierce, Brandon Bass and Alan Anderson didn’t log any minutes Friday, but each of the 10 Clippers who entered the game played double-digit minutes and eight different players scored at least six points.
What’s Next? – The Clippers finish their road back-to-back Saturday in San Antonio
NOTES: Neither Clippers head coach Doc Rivers nor Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale were with their respective teams when they played in the playoffs, but both coaches acknowledged there’s still a rivalry or at least a little something extra when the two teams face off. Fizdale said they’re two physical teams with a mutual respect, and Rivers said he thinks the added intensity is a good thing… The Clippers have now won five of their last six regular season games against Memphis …
