Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 99-88 win over the Grizzlies

Here are five takeaways from the Clippers’ 99-88 victory over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Friday.

1. Early on, the Clippers bench was playing good basketball again.

It was Jamal Crawford getting an assist in the first quarter. It was Marreese Speights tipping in a missed shot. It was Wesley Johnson playing defense. It was Austin Rivers and Raymond Felton doing work.

That group provided the Clippers some energy early in the game.

But the reserves weren’t very good in the fourth quarter, giving up some of the lead.

It really was the first time all season the reserves have been up and down in a game.

2. The Clippers still were unable to shoot the ball straight against the Grizzlies on Friday night.

The Clippers made just 37.6% of their shots, 29.6% of their three-pointers.

They shot the best in the first quarter, making 47.4% from the field.

But it was all downhill from there.

The Clippers shot 38.1% from the field in the second quarter, 32.1% in the third and 35.3% in the fourth.

3. The Clippers continue to be very good on defense.

This time, they found a new way to be a force. The Clippers had 17 steals. They forced the Grizzlies into 19 turnovers.

Chris Paul had six steals, and Luc Mbah a Moute had three steals.

4. After getting just six rebounds in the loss against Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, DeAndre Jordan was back to his strong rebounding ways.

Jordan collected 21 rebounds against the Grizzlies.

It was his 31st game of his career getting at least 20-plus rebounds in a game, his first of the 2016-17 season.

5. The Clippers were good at the free-throw line this time.

They shot 81.8% from the line, going 27-for-33.

Paul was 14-for-15 from the line, including going six-for-six in the fourth quarter.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Follow Broderick Turner on Twitter @BA_Turner