Grizzlies escape as Clippers remain winless with James Harden

Desmond Bane poured in 27 points and the Memphis Grizzlies held off a feverish rally from the host Los Angeles Clippers to pick up a 105-101 victory on Sunday, November 12 (Monday, November 13, Manila time).

Memphis took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter, but the Clippers stormed back, tying things at 84-84 when Paul George canned a three-pointer with 6:38 left.

The teams then traded punches and found themselves deadlocked at 98-all with 1:33 to go after James Harden connected from beyond the arc. But three free throws and a David Roddy layup gave the Grizzlies a five-point edge that they hung on to down the stretch.

Bane made 10 of 24 shots and added 6 assists for Memphis, which won for just the second time this season.

Bismack Biyombo had a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double as the Grizzlies shot 42% from the field. Marcus Smart supplied 17 points and 7 assists.

George had a team-high 26 points for Los Angeles, which fell to 0-4 with Harden, who totaled 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Norman Powell notched 20 points off the bench.

The Clippers made 37 of 85 shots (43.5%).

Bane scored 6 points in the final 1:22 of the first half to help send Memphis into the break up 52-45.

Bane paced the Grizzlies with 11 first-half points, while George led all scorers with 12.

Memphis built a 14-point cushion with a 7-0 spurt to open the second half. George stopped the bleeding with a jumper and Kawhi Leonard canned a trey to cut the Clippers’ deficit to 9, but that was the closest they would get for the remainder of the third quarter.

The Grizzlies took a 79-68 lead into the fourth.

Jacob Gilyard and Smart each hit a pair of three-pointers during a game-opening 19-7 run for Memphis, which led 33-20 after 12 minutes of action.

It was Los Angeles that got off to a hot start in the second, scoring 19 of the first 22 points of the quarter to move in front at 39-36. George netted all 12 of his first-half points during the outburst. – Rappler.com