Anderson’s All-Around Play Sparks Victory Over Grizzlies

The Vancouver Grizzlies had the Clippers’ number last season, winning three of four games between the teams.

But this is a new season and Friday night, Derek Anderson led the new-look Clippers to a 104-94 victory over the Grizzlies in an exhibition game at GM Place in Vancouver.

Anderson had a team-high 23 points, making eight of 14 shots. Anderson also had five steals, four assists and three rebounds.

The Clippers (3-2) had six players score in double figures.

Lamar Odom and Maurice Taylor scored 18 points each, Troy Hudson and Tyrone Nesby had 12 each and Eric Murdock added 10.

“I think that we’re coming together as a team, we’re growing a lot together,” said Taylor, who made nine of 16 shots and added 11 rebounds. “If we keep growing, keep working and improving, we should have a good team throughout the whole season.”

Taylor told team broadcaster Michael Smith the Clippers have more balance this season.

“I have guys who can hit open shots when [opponents] double,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of guys on this team who can score. We are very versatile.”

With Vancouver having only 11 players in uniform because of injuries, the Clippers wore down the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter.

After leading by five points at halftime and by three after three quarters, the Clippers outscored Vancouver, 33-26, over the final 12 minutes.

Hudson, who was replaced in the starting lineup by Murdock, made two of his four three-point baskets to help the Clippers open up a commanding 97-85 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Behind a three-point play by Felipe Lopez and a three-point basket by Brent Price, the Grizzlies closed to within 97-91 with 2:39 left but the Clippers were able to pull away behind Anderson, who made seven of eight free throws.

“We’re getting an extremely high amount of easy buckets this year with Derek out there . . . he can defend a point guard or a shooting guard,” Taylor said of the Clippers’ improved defense.

*

Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 24 points for the Grizzlies (0-5), who along with the New York Knicks are the only teams to have yet to win an exhibition game.

Vancouver center Bryant Reeves, back after missing one game with a bruised knee, had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Michael Dickerson, acquired in an off-season trade from Houston, missed his first six shots in the first half, but he made six of eight for 15 points in the second half.