Five takeaways from the Clippers’ 94-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies

Here are five takeaways from the Clippers’ 94-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

1. The Clippers finally finished

The Clippers’ last three games came down to the final minute of the fourth quarter, but on Monday they were finally able to pull off the win. The Clippers lost to the Golden State Warriors, 112-108, on Wednesday. Then they fell to the Houston Rockets, 109-105, on Saturday. In Monday’s game, however, they were able to finish with the game on the line. With 55.1 seconds left and the Clippers down, 86-84, J.J. Redick made a three-pointer to give the Clippers a one-point advantage. On the team’s next possession, Reddick was fouled while attempting another three-pointer. He made each of his free throws to put the Clippers up, 90-86, with 13.3 seconds left, and they held on for the victory. What was difference this time around?

“I actually don’t know the answer to that question,” Rivers said. “We executed better, we made some shots and we got some stops.”

2. Blake Griffin had another big game

Through the team’s seven games this season, Blake Griffin is averaging career-highs in points (28.6), field goal percentage (58.1%) and free throw percentage (80.8%). In Monday’s win, he led the Clippers with 24 points on nine-for-19 shooting and 12 rebounds. Griffin recently said that over this past off-season, in addition to putting in work on the court, he made some changes to his life, including becoming an avid reader. Rivers said he’s taken notice of Griffin’s different mindset this season, said that the power forward’s presence in the locker room has felt different.

“I know his play has been great, and I know that’s what everybody sees,” Rivers said. “His attitude and his approach and his leadership has been off the charts, and for me, that’s what’s going to pay dividends.”

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Clippers Coach Doc Rivers makes his point to forward Lance Stephenson after Stephenson missed a defensive assignment against the Grizzlies.

  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers point guard Chris Paul grabs an offensive rebound in front of Grizzlies center Marc Gasol in the second half.

  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Clippers point guard Austin Rivers reacts during the first half of a game against the Grizzlies.

  (Paul Buck / EPA)

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Clippers power forward Blake Griffin tries to get off a pass in-between the defense of Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and forward Matt Barnes (22) in the first half.

  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

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Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes tries to block the shot of Clippers forward Josh Smith as Smith goes up for a shot during the first half.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph tries to knock the ball free from Clippers center DeAndre Jordan during the first half on Monday.

  (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

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Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes fouls Clippers guard Chris Paul as Barnes tries to steal the ball in the second half. The Clippers beat the Grizzlies, 94-92.

  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

3. Chris Paul played more minutes than expected

Before Monday’s game, Rivers said he wasn’t sure if Paul (strained right groin) would play. Rivers added that if the team’s superstar point guard did play, he would definitely have a minute restriction. But the game was too close for Paul to watch from the sideline, with neither team taking a double-digit lead throughout the game. Paul ended up playing 32 minutes and 40 seconds, finishing with 14 points on four-for-10 shooting, four rebounds, four assists and four turnovers. After the Clippers win, Rivers said he was surprised to learn how many minutes Paul played.

“I didn’t know he played 33,” Rivers said. “Our math was wrong then because [Clippers trainer Jasen Powell] told me it was 21 minutes when I put him in with eight minutes left. What school did JP go to? I mean, honestly.”

4. Replays slowed the game down

There were four stoppages in play throughout Monday’s game to review plays, something that definitely slowed down the game and quieted the crowd at times. In Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets, a replay could have changed the course of the game -- the officials missed Dwight Howard committing a goaltending violation during a tip-in by Blake Griffin with the Clippers down by two points, 107-105, and only 17.2 seconds left. But against the Grizzlies, the replays seemed to disrupt the rhythm of the game more than anything. When asked his thoughts on whether replays are good for the game, Rivers said he wavers.

“I know that the replay system is good,” Rivers said. “I also know that it kills the crowd. It kills the game in some ways too. ... You want to get it right as long as it benefits you, I guess is the answer.

5. DeAndre Jordan is going to face a tough crowd in Dallas

The Clippers’ center verbally committed to playing for the Dallas Mavericks when he was a free agent in July. He then had a change of heart, and reneged on his word to return to the Clippers, where he had spent his entire seven-season career. Jordan’s decision angered many in the Mavericks’ organization, including Chandler Parsons, who had put in a lot of work to recruit Jordan, and owner Mark Cuban, who couldn’t believe that Jordan didn’t even call him to let him know that he changed his mind. On Wednesday, the Clippers will play the Mavericks in Dallas, and we’ll find out just how the fans feel about Jordan’s little switcheroo.

Said Rivers: “Maybe it will be a playoff atmosphere.”