L.A. Makes It Two in a Row

What, the Clippers worry?

If they were distracted by the five-game suspension handed down Monday to standout forward Lamar Odom for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, it certainly didn’t show in a 108-92 victory Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

If they were underwhelmed by the winless Grizzlies, then who could blame them? The Clippers’ intensity ebbed and flowed in front of an announced crowd of 13,835 at Staples Center.

But Quentin Richardson’s third consecutive game of 20 points or more led the Clippers to their second consecutive victory without Odom. Richardson, Elton Brand and Jeff McInnis led the Clippers with 21 points apiece.

Pau Gasol’s 24 points led the Grizzlies, 0-5 and playing without Nick Anderson (sprained left ankle), Michael Dickerson (groin injury) and Stromile Swift (sprained left ankle).

“They missed Dickerson, but everybody in the NBA plays without their best players, as we well know,” Clipper Coach Alvin Gentry said, referring to Odom’s absence. “Nobody said it was going to be easy. It was a good win for us. Once again, it was a total team effort. What I like best is that when we call on guys, they seem to respond.”

With the Clippers on the verge of squandering a 21-point first-half lead, Gentry turned to 5-foot-5 guard Earl Boykins late in the third quarter. Soon enough, Boykins had the flatfooted Clippers moving again. Boykins had eight points in 15 minutes.

The Clippers (2-3) raced out to a 33-15 lead by the end of the first quarter, but eased up in the second and held a 52-41 halftime lead. The Grizzlies tightened their defense in the second quarter, using a three-two zone that had the Clippers spending too much time standing around on the perimeter.

A 12-2 Memphis run brought the Grizzlies to within, 44-33, with 4:57 remaining in the half. The Grizzlies, who moved to Memphis from Vancouver, Canada, in the off-season, got as close as 48-39 on a free throw by Lorenzen Wright with 2:53 left.

The Grizzlies got within four points several times in the fourth quarter, but the Clippers closed with a 23-12 run.

“It was a big win,” McInnis said. “We dedicated it to Lamar. It felt like he was out there with us. It was an emotional day. We saw a good friend who was down.”

TONIGHT

at Portland, 7

Site--Rose Garden.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Clippers 2-3, Trail Blazers 2-3.

Record vs. Trail Blazers (2000-01)--2-2.

Update--Portland, perhaps the league’s most dysfunctional team, is at it again. Scottie Pippen criticized enigmatic teammate Rasheed Wallace for laughing and dancing in the locker room after the Trail Blazers lost Sunday to the Golden State Warriors. Tuesday, Wallace responded with 26 points, including 21 in the first half, in a 101-83 rout of the Utah Jazz.