Grizzlies pull away for victory over Clippers

Ja Morant compiled 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, and Brandon Clarke keyed a fourth-quarter run that powered the Memphis Grizzlies to a 120-108 defeat of the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, November 18 (Friday, November 19, Manila time).

Clarke scored 10 of his 14 points off the bench in the fourth quarter, including 8 straight Memphis points during a 15-2 run early in the period that blew the game open.

The Grizzlies pushed the lead to as many as 23 points in the final period. Los Angeles could cut the deficit to no fewer than 12 points.

Four of the five Grizzlies starters scored in double figures. In addition to Morant, Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. both finished with 18 points, and Desmond Bane added 16.

Clarke’s effort led a 38-point night from the Memphis reserves.

Los Angeles got 42 points from its bench, led by 15 and 11 from Luke Kennard and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Paul George led all Los Angeles players with 23 points, Reggie Jackson added 18 points with 5 assists, and Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Memphis dominated Los Angeles in the paint, outscoring the Clippers on the interior 74-36.

The Grizzlies’ inside attack translated to a 54.2% field goal rate. Memphis went 11-of-26 (42.3%) from three-point range, keyed by Jackson’s 3-of-7 shooting. Los Angeles hit 46.7% from the floor, 41% from long distance.

Memphis began to gain separation in the third quarter when, holding a one-possession lead, Morant scored 10 points in a stretch lasting about three minutes. The Grizzlies extended their advantage to 9 points by the end of the third quarter, setting the stage for their game-changing, fourth-quarter run.

The Grizzlies have won back-to-back games for the first time since November 1-3. They dropped three straight before blowing out the Houston Rockets, 136-102, on Monday.

After winning seven straight games, the Clippers have dropped two of their past three. – Rappler.com