Clippers vs. Grizzlies, Game 7

Power forward Blake Griffin breaks into a smile as he checks the scoreboard with the Clippers on the verge of an 82-72 victory over the Grizzlies in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers reserve point guard Eric Bledsoe, who contributed eight points and several hustle plays, is congratulated by teammates in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul loses control of the ball against the defense of Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo late in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul battles the big men, including Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, for a rebound in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis. Paul finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the victory.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers guard Nick Young, who finished with 13 points, makes his second consecutive three-pointer in the second half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul tries to save the ball from going out of bounds after stealing a rebound from Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph late in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Players on the Clippers bench give Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph an earful as he shoots a three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Reggie Evans secures a rebound between Grizzlies power forward Marreese Speights, left, and guard O.J. Mayo during Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers guard Nick Young follows through on a long-range shot over Grizzlies guard Gilbert Arenas in the second half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers guard Nick Young, right, celebrates a three-pointer with center DeAndre Jordan in the second half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul tries to maintain possession as he’s double-teamed by Grizzlies guards Mike Conley, left, and Tony Allen during Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin and Grizzlies center Marc Gasol get loud as they battle for position in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin can’t seem to escape the presence of Grizzlies nemisis Marc Gasol even on the bench as a Memphis fan waves a poster of Gasol’s face during Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers guard Randy Foye is fouled by Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi on a driving layup during Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers forward Caron Butler has his shot blocked by Grizzlies guard Tony Allen in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers power forward Blake Griffin tries to block a shot by Grizzlies center Marc Gasol in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Point guards Mike Conley of the Grizzlies and Chris Paul of the Clippers try to pull in a loose ball in the second half of Game 7 last spring.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers guard Nick Young drives down the lane against Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Grizzlies teammates Mike Conley and Marc Gasol celebrate after a foul was called on Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul works his way past Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley before assisting on a basket by teammate Blake Griffin (not pictured) in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay tries to grab a loose ball as Clippers center DeAndre Jordan reaches for it and point guard Chris Paul eyes it in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday in Memphis.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley fouls Clippers point guard Chris Paul as he drives in the first half of Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Center DeAndre Jordan lets out a yell as the Clippers leave the locker room before playing against the Grizzlies in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Clippers huddle outside their locker room before taking the court for Game 7 against the Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon in Memphis.   (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)