Clippers getting embarrassed by Grizzlies after three, 85-64
With the Grizzlies making three-point shots look as easy as layups, Memphis continued to humble the Clippers in Game 1 of their playoff series, taking an 85-64 lead going into the fourth quarter at Memphis.
The Grizzlies have been imposing their will through three quarters offensively and defensively; the Clippers have been unable to get any inside game going and their outside game has not been nearly good enough to compensate for that.
An ineffective Blake Griffin committed his third foul, on a trip while setting a pick, at the start of the third quarter, which was hardly the way the Clippers wanted him to become more involved.
Chris Paul, who appeared to be suffering the effects of the pulled groin that kept him out of the final regular-season game through 2 1/2 quarters, got his first field goal on a 15-footer with 10:25 to play in the quarter, and then Griffin finally scored inside and was fouled. He made the free throw to cut the lead to 14, the five consecutive points amounting to a Clippers run ... a short-lived positive development for L.A.
Memphis guard Mike Conley made another three-pointer to give Memphis a 66-48 lead with eight minutes left in the quarter, then added another to make it 69-48 and force a Clippers timeout.
At that point, Memphis was eight for 10 on three-pointers; the Clippers were one for eight -- just another indication of the Grizzlies’ dominance. Conley was five for five on three-pointers through three quarters and had scored 16 points. By the end of the quarter, Memphis was 10 for 15 on threes; the Clippers were one for 12.
How frustrated was Paul? He made a short shot in the lane with 2:20 left in the quarter, then was called for a technical foul for complaining that no foul had been called on the shot. He began playing more aggressively late in the period, but by that time, Memphis was well in command.
RELATED:
First quarter: Clippers fall way behind
Halftime: Clippers trail Memphis, 58-39
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