Clippers shrug off 19-point deficit, rally past Grizzlies
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin added 21 apiece and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 19-point first-half deficit to defeat the host Memphis Grizzlies 123-120 on Saturday night.
Leonard was 8-for-15 on field-goal attempts and 12-for-14 at the foul line for the Clippers, who won for the fourth time in five games. Derrick Jones Jr. contributed 16 points, Jordan Miller had 14 and Isaiah Jackson chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Grizzlies, who were attempting to sweep the four-game season series, were led by Ty Jerome, who had 23 points and a game-high seven assists. Taylor Hendricks came off the bench to score 18 points, Cedric Coward added 15 points and seven rebounds, and GG Jackson finished with 14 points and seven boards. Memphis lost for the sixth time in eight games.
Memphis played without star guard Ja Morant for the 20th consecutive game. Morant last played Jan. 21 against the Atlanta Hawks before suffering a left elbow sprain. Team officials said Morant will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
The Grizzlies led 90-89 entering the final quarter, but the Clippers quickly took command, building a nine-point advantage at 101-92 following a five-point possession. After Brook Lopez missed the free throw as part of a three-point play on a layup, Garland nailed a 3-pointer.
Memphis fought back and eventually regained the lead on two occasions, the last coming at 118-117 with 2:13 left on a Walter Clayton Jr. driving layup.
Leonard put the Clippers back up, 119-118, following a steal and two free throws with 1:30 to go. Los Angeles never trailed the remainder of the way. Mathurin sank two key free throws with 4.4 seconds left.
Jerome had an opportunity to tie the game at the buzzer, but his 3-point try rimmed out.
Memphis built a 19-point lead early in the second quarter -- an advantage resulting from 10 first-quarter 3-pointers. But the Clippers roared back behind Leonard, who scored 15 of his first-half 20 points in the second period. Los Angeles reclaimed the lead late in the second quarter and trailed by only one -- 59-58 -- at halftime.
The Grizzlies finished the game 16 of 43 from beyond the arc (37.2%), while the Clippers were 4 of 17 (23.5%).