Clippers’ Comeback Cut Short by Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were determined not to let another close one slip away.

“We really felt we needed this win bad,” said Pau Gasol, who scored 25 points and made two free throws in the final 11 seconds to lead the Grizzlies to a 111-108 victory Tuesday night over the Clippers.

The victory ended a seven-game losing streak for the Grizzlies, who lost three of those games by one or two points. Memphis squandered a 23-point fourth-quarter lead in a 102-101 loss to the Lakers on Friday.

“We gave away a couple we shouldn’t have so we needed to get this game,” Gasol said.

The Clippers’ Eric Piatkowski got off the final shot of the game from three-point range on an inbound pass with two seconds remaining. It missed, wedging the ball between the basket and the backboard with no time left.

The Grizzlies led, 104-94, with 4:13 left in the game on a three-point play by Gasol.

But the Clippers responded with 10 straight points to tie the score, 104-104, with 1:13 remaining. That run was capped by a three-pointer by Piatkowski from the left baseline.

Jason Williams, who finished with 23 points, then made a 19-foot jumper with 1:02 left and the Grizzlies stayed out front.

Shane Battier had 17 points and Mike Batiste had 15 and 11 rebounds. The Clippers were led by Corey Maggette, who scored 22 points. Elton Brand had 21 and 10 rebounds for his 41st double-double of the season.

Lamar Odom added 20 points for the Clippers, Andre Miller had 17 and Piatkowski had 12.

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Tonight at Milwaukee, 5 p.m., PDT, FSN2.