LOS ANGELES — Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said that had a few bounces in recent games had favored the Clippers, they might not have lost five in a row or been the only team in the NBA without a victory since the All-Star break.
His point was that two of those losses were decided by one point and another by seven points, where a missed rebound or late shot could have made a difference.
“The ball hasn’t bounced our way yet,” Lue said. “So, we just got to stay with it, continue to keep putting in the work and keep grinding and that’s what our guys have been doing. Things will turn.”
The Clippers saw plenty of things turn their way in a 135-129 victory Sunday but it took some work against a severely short-handed Memphis Grizzlies team that was missing four players.
The Clippers overcame a 51-point third quarter by the Grizzlies, 17 turnovers and needed big games from Paul George (42 points, 11 rebounds) and Kawhi Leonard (34 points, 10 rebounds, four assists) and solid defensive work in the final quarter to pull off their first victory in nine days.
On paper, it didn’t look like a fair fight. The Grizzlies were without four key players for various reasons. Star guard Ja Morant was not with the team after being suspended for two games after brandishing a gun in an Instagram video.
Dillon Brooks is suspended after getting his 16th technical foul, while Steven Adams (right knee strain) and Brandon Clarke (Achilles tear) also sat out.
Still, at times, the Clippers had trouble matching the Grizzlies’ intensity. Memphis came out aggressive, especially early on, pushing the pace and shooting 63% in the first quarter. This was not a team wringing its hands over its current state.
The Grizzlies, who trailed 67-61 at the half, used a 51-point third quarter to take a 112-97 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones (starting for Morant) led the barrage that put the Clippers in 15-point hole.
George, though, wouldn’t…
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