March 9th, 2017

The Clippers returned to the win column on Thursday night in Memphis.  LA beat the Grizzlies 114-98 behind a big game from Austin Rivers.

Rivers scored 20 points, while Chris Paul added 19 and 7 assists to help the Clipps maintain their hold on 5th place in the Western Conference with the Grizzlies breathing down their neck.

JJ Redick scored 15 points as well, while Jamal Crawford and Blake Griffin each scored 14.  The Clipps shot 51% from the field, and outrebounded the Grizzlies 47-34.

LA outscored Memphis 31-20 in the 3rd quarter, including a buzzer beating 49-foot shot from Jamal Crawford.

The Grizzlies never got close from there.  The Clippers opened a lead as much as 22 points in the 4th.

Memphis was led by Marc Gasol who scored 20 points, as well as Zach Randolph, who had 18 points and 11 rebounds.

The win comes after the Clippers held a team meeting on Thursday morning, after Wednesday’s loss to the Timberberwolves.  “It was a long meeting, but it was a truthful meeting,” Doc Rivers said. “We just talked. There wasn’t any screaming. It was just a good team discussion about what we want to be and what we need to do.

Blake Griffin knew their effort against Minnesota was poor.  “We know we haven’t played the way we should,” He said.  “So sometimes just scrapping the film, scrapping the walk-through and just talking and letting guys get some frustrations out, talk about what they’re seeing.  “Sometimes you miss something.”

The Clippers return to action on Saturday night against the 76ers.