Clippers’ Chauncey Billups’ scoring efforts are stymied

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It was a rough day for Clippers starting guard Chauncey Billups.

Billups missed all six of his shots from the field against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round playoff series, and he didn’t score.

“I’m not really worried about me personally,” Billups said. “Of course I want to be out there helping.”

BOX SCORE: Memphis 104, Clippers 83

In his last three games, including Saturday’s, Billups has been five for 20 from the field, three for 11 from three-point range and has scored just 16 points.

Billups, as he pointed out, played in just 22 regular-season games because of an assortment of injuries.

“I wasn’t planning on averaging 20-something,” Billups said. “I just want to be able to help. Today I obviously missed my shots. But I was in tune, locked in, which is how I can best help this team. It was just a rough day.”

Bledsoe trying to be a spark

Eric Bledsoe came off the Clippers’ bench and gave them a little lift in the first half, something the team has come to expect from him.

Bledsoe had nine points and five assists.

“I just want to bring the energy,” Bledsoe said. “I want to be a spark off the bench that we need. But it wasn’t enough tonight. So we’ll see what happens next game.”

Bledsoe blocked a shot by Tony Allen in the painted area, got the rebound himself and raced upcourt.

Marc Gasol and Jerryd Bayless retreated on defense in an attempt to beat Bledsoe back.

But they were too slow. Bledsoe turned on his after-burners and raced in for a layup. The Grizzlies seemed shocked at how fast the Clippers’ back-up point guard went by two Memphis defenders.

“All the guys on the bench are just trying to play our game like we did all season,” Bledsoe said. “Ain’t nothing changed. We’ve just got to pick up the slack. That’s all.”

Paul on defensive

There were times in the second half when the Grizzlies used the 6-foot-6 Quincy Pondexter to defend the 6-0 Chris Paul.

It seemed obvious that the Grizzlies wanted to have a bigger defender on the Clippers All-Star point guard, instead of just the 6-1 Mike Conley.

Paul had just five of his 19 points in the second half and just one point in the fourth quarter, on a free throw.

Paul was asked if Pondexter’s length disrupted his rhythm.

“Ask him,” Paul said. “I had my rhythm. So you ask him.”

Memphis Coach Lionel Hollins wasn’t buying into that question about Pondexter slowing down Paul.

“He scored 19 points,” Hollins said. “C’mon. We were rotating guys. It’s not about one individual. It’s about the team.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner