Grizzlies Hold Off Reserves

Jason Williams made an 18-foot jumper to halt a late rally as the Memphis Grizzlies held on after opening a big early lead and beat the Clippers, 121-113, Sunday.

None of the Clippers’ starters played after the first quarter Memphis scored 41 points to open a 17-point lead, yet the Clippers made a game of it down the stretch behind reserves Darius Miles, Keyon Dooling and Earl Boykins.

Playing well for the second consecutive game in the exhibition season, Williams finished with 23 points. Michael Dickerson led Memphis with 28 points and Lorenzen Wright had 19.

A fast-break layup by Miles with 2:45 left capped an 11-1 run and made it 110-105. But Williams answered with a jumper from the left of the key.

Boykins led the Clippers with 21 points and Miles had 14.

Williams scored 10 of the Grizzlies’ first 26 points, and Memphis--looking to push the ball upcourt while the Clippers kept trying to force it down low--ended the first quarter with a 41-24 lead.

It was 51-32 when Williams returned to the game midway through the second quarter, and he fed Dickerson for a banked three-pointer that gave Memphis its first 20-point lead, 54-32, with 61/2 minutes left.

Williams finished the half with 17 points.

Memphis maintained a comfortable lead through the third quarter. The score was 94-78 heading into the fourth quarter, and the Clippers still trailed by 15 with 5:18 left before making the final push.

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In a homecoming of sorts for Miles, the Clippers will play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in an exhibition game at St. Louis. Miles is from East St. Louis.