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Postgame Report: Grizzlies Defense Contains Clippers, Win 96-86

Key Stat of the Night

  • The Grizzlies defense held the Clippers to 86 points on a season-best 25-of-74 (.338) shooting from the floor while forcing 19 turnovers. Memphis had previously held Dallas to .341 shooting on 11/19. Los Angeles’ 86 points were a new season-low (previous was 98 vs. DEN, 10/17). The Clippers entered tonight ranked third in the NBA in scoring (117.7 ppg).

Key Run of the Night

  • Midway through the fourth quarter, Memphis used a 10-2 run over a 2:11 stretch (8:33 – 6:22) to lead 85-76. Los Angeles never got closer than five points from that point on.

Game Recap

The Memphis Grizzlies held the Los Angeles Clippers to their lowest point total of the season, winning 96-86 on Wednesday night in FedExForum. The Grizzlies improved to 14-9 on the season and are now 8-3 at home. Memphis tied the season series at 1-1. The Clippers fell to 16-8 overall.

Mike Conley scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. JaMychal Green logged his first double-double of the year with a season-high 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 13 points and six rebounds. Kyle Anderson added seven points, seven rebounds and a team-high six assists. Newly-signed center Joakim Noah chipped in with four points and three rebounds in his first game with the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies shot 37-for-85 (.435) from the floor in the game, but only shot 7-for-28 (.250) from three-point range. The defense held the Clippers to 25-of-74 (.338) from the floor, the team’s best defensive percentage of the season, and 8-of-23 (.348) from three-point range. Los Angeles entered tonight ranked third in the NBA in scoring (117.7 ppg). Memphis outscored Los Angeles 50-30 in the paint. The Grizzlies struggled at the free throw line, shooting 15-for-24 (.625) while the Clippers went 28-35 (.800). Memphis outscored Los Angeles 19-8 in the fast break.

Boban Marjanovic led the Clippers with 19 points while shooting 11-of-12 (.917) at the free throw line, and pulled down eight boards in just over 13 minutes of play. Danilo Gallinari scored 17 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lou Williams each scored 12. Tobias Harris had seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The fourth quarter was less dramatic, with Memphis outscoring Los Angeles 27-17 to lead for the entire period. Midway through the fourth quarter, Memphis used a 10-2 run over a 2:11 stretch (8:33 – 6:22) to lead 85-76, keeping the Clippers at bay. The Grizzlies went 9-of-18 (.500) from the field while scoring 10 points off eight Clippers turnovers during the fourth quarter to put the game away.

The Clippers came out of halftime much more efficient on offense, opening the third quarter with a 11-0 run starting at 10:46 and going to the 7:50 mark (2:56 run), giving them their first lead of the game (53-51). The Grizzlies shot just 6-for-22 (.273) in the third quarter and 1-for-9 (.111) from three-point range, while the Clippers went 9-for-20 (.450) from the floor and 3-for-6 (.500) for three. Los Angeles outscored Memphis 27-18 in the period. Noah scored his first points in a Memphis uniform by tipping in a Green miss with 1.1 seconds left in the third to tie the game at 69.

The Grizzlies held the Clippers to 11-of-41 (.268) shooting from the floor in the first half, setting a season-low for opponent field goal percentage in a half. Memphis shot 22-of-45 (.489) from the field during the half. Neither team shot the three well in the half, with the Grizzlies making 2-of-9 (.222) and the Clippers going 3-of-12 (.250). Memphis outscored Los Angeles 36-16 in the paint before the break.

The Grizzlies shot 13-for-25 (.520) to start the game while holding the Clippers to just 6-for-21 (.286) in the first quarter. Memphis scored 22 of its 27 points during the paint in the first period. Memphis opened the game with a 10-0 run over a 3:40 span (11:18 – 7:38) in the first quarter to help take a 27-15 lead at the end of the quarter.

Memphis continued to smother Los Angeles on defense, allowing the Clippers to make just 5-of-20 (.250) field goals in the second quarter, while going 9-of-20 (.450) from the floor. The Clippers compensated by going 16-for-16 from the free throw line. The teams shot a combined 2-for-11 (.181) from three-point range. With 4.2 seconds left before halftime, Conley sprinted down the floor off the inbound pass to hit a 33-footer at the buzzer, giving the Grizzlies a 51-42 lead heading into the break.

Next Game

The Grizzlies travel to face a divisional rival in the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. CT at the Smoothie King Center. Tune in to FOX Sports Southeast presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners or listen on 92.9 FM ESPN to follow the action.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2018-19 Season Tickets or 10-Game Flex Packs can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. Single Game Tickets are also available for purchase at the FedExForum Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, online at grizzlies.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX. For more information on the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).

Team Quotes

Player Notes

  • Mike Conley scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
  • JaMychal Green logged his first double-double of the year with a season-high 19 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
  • Jaren Jackson Jr. had 13 points and six rebounds. Kyle Anderson added seven points, seven rebounds and a team-high six assists.
  • Newly-signed center Joakim Noah chipped in with four points and three rebounds in his first game with the Grizzlies.
  • Boban Marjanovic led the Clippers with 19 points while shooting 11-of-12 (.917) at the free throw line, and pulled down eight boards in just over 13 minutes of play. It was the first time this season Marjanovic led the Clippers in scoring.
  • Danilo Gallinari scored 17 points.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lou Williams each scored 12.
  • Tobias Harris had seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Team Notes

  • Neither shot well from three-point range, with Memphis going 7-for-28 (.250) and Los Angeles shooting 8-for-23 (.348).
  • The Grizzlies outscored the Clippers 50-30 in the paint.
  • The Clippers went 28-for-35 (.800) from the free throw line while the Grizzlies were just 15-for-24 (.625).
  • Memphis outscored Los Angeles 18-9 in the fast break.
  • Nine different players played at least 15 minutes for Memphis.

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