Russell Westbrook scores season-high 36 points as Clippers beat Grizzlies
Russell Westbrook (36 points) and Robert Covington (27) scored season highs in points, and the Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 141-132 on Wednesday night to open a two-game set.
The teams, both short-handed, will meet again Friday night in Memphis.
Covington (seven for seven) and Westbrook (five for five) were perfect from three-point range, with Westbrook adding 10 assists.
“I think this is the first time in my career that I went perfect from the three-point line,” said Covington, in his 10th season.
The Clippers’ 61% shooting — almost matched by their marksmanship from three-point range (22 for 37) — enabled them to win without Kawhi Leonard, who was a late scratch for personal reasons, and Paul George (knee sprain).
Bones Hyland contributed 20 points, his high as a Clipper, including 12 in the fourth quarter as L.A. pulled away in the final seven minutes, and Norman Powell returned with 13 points after missing 11 games with a shoulder injury.
New starter Nicolas Batum had 24 points as the Clippers beat the Chicago Bulls 124-112 without Paul George, who aims to return from a sprained knee.
“Just being composed,” Westbrook said about the difference late in the game. “As a point guard, I was taught the last five or six minutes of the game were very important. Getting stops, getting good shots. We did a good job of executing down the stretch.”
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and nine assists. Dillon Brooks added 30 points as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures. The Grizzlies had won seven in a row and 12 straight at home.
The Grizzlies sat a number of key players on the second night of back-to-back games. Morant was back after sitting out against Orlando on Tuesday night, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and reserve John Konchar were out with various ailments.
The game built in intensity and the teams got into a scrum near midcourt in the third quarter with Brooks and Covington barking at each other. Throughout the game, coaches were yelling at officials, players were mouthing off to each other and the physical play put everybody on edge.
“Obviously, they made a lot of shots,” said Memphis forward Santi Aldama, who finished with 17 points, adding: “I think the looks we gave them were very easy for the most part. They just got so many free looks.”
New starter Nicolas Batum had 24 points as the Clippers beat the Chicago Bulls 124-112 without Paul George, who aims to return from a sprained knee.
The Clippers sit in fifth in the West, one game ahead of idle Golden State. But the way the middle of the conference is jumbled, each game is important.
“It’s going to be tight,” Covington said of the playoff spots. “The West from four through 12 or 13 is like a three-game gap, something like that? So, anything can happen. That’s why these last five or six games for us are very important.”
Marcus Morris Sr. sat out his second game under health and safety protocols.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
