Win over Memphis a nice distraction for Clippers, Vinny Del Negro

Following days of speculation and tumult, the Clippers’ pregame routine didn’t waiver Saturday.

They discussed defensive assignments, walked through a handful of the opponent’s plays, and then went over the game plan, what they needed to do to win.

“The difference was,” forward Blake Griffin said, “we just went out and did it.”

With Coach Vinny Del Negro’s seat hot enough to fry an egg and amid speculation about a fractured locker room, the Clippers also went out and played a rare complete game, crushing Memphis, 101-85, in front of 19,060 at Staples Center.

In the first of a five-game homestand, the Clippers (27-21) moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Western Conference, three games behind the Lakers.

The win was a much-needed tourniquet after an 0-3 trip, the Clippers’ longest losing streak this season.

“I almost forgot what it feels like after you lose like we’ve been losing,” said Chris Paul, who had 19 points and 13 assists.

The victory might even help some forget the calls for Del Negro to be fired.

“We’re all behind him,” said Griffin, who scored a game-high 20 points and had 10 rebounds and five assists. “We’ve got to keep it that way.”

Del Negro said before the game that he has talked with Neil Olshey, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations, but he wouldn’t discuss specifics.

“Managing expectations is the hardest thing in this business,” said Del Negro, whose team started 15-7 but has gone 12-14 since losing guard Chauncey Billups to a season-ending injury. “And just because you get certain players or you get off to a good start, it doesn’t work like that. You have to put in the time. You have to stay together as a team. You have to build something.”

The Clippers built a big early lead against the Grizzlies (33-17 at the end of the first quarter), which was old hat for them, but they sustained that effort until the end, which they hadn’t done in a while.

“To be honest, I’m trying to think of the last time,” Griffin said, pondering.

Randy Foye scored 18 points and Nick Young had 16 off the bench in place of Mo Williams, who is expected to miss several games because of an injured left big toe.

“We were jelling today,” Young said. “We came together. We [weren’t] yelling with each other. We just went out there and played.”

Young’s smile is all but permanent, but he said he noticed few teammates wearing one in recent days.

“I told them, ‘Man, you need to smile a little bit,’” he said. “Everybody just seemed a little on edge.”

Their mood appeared joyous against Memphis (25-21), especially after Young’s 360-degree baseline reverse layup in the final seconds pushed the Clippers beyond the 100-point mark for the first time in 10 games.

The Clippers’ defense was also stellar, holding Rudy Gay, Memphis’ leading scorer, to 11 points and Zach Randolph to 14. The Clippers improved to 20-4 when allowing fewer than 96 points.

“It’s huge,” Paul said, “because our defense has been horrendous, pretty much for a few games here, just giving up everything — threes, layups, free throws, stuff like that. But [Saturday], we put it all together and got the win.”

Paul added that the team was together too, that the win was one they need to build on.

For Del Negro, the emphatic victory served to distract his detractors. For now.

baxter.holmes@latimes.com

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