It’s a meeting that symbolizes this crazy season with these huge “comebacks”, since the Grizzlies won 108-94 against the Clippers after being 20 points behind, but also led by 22 points! In this second part between the two formations, it was the Clippers who had made the best start. Kawhi Leonard is present this time, Norman Powell makes his big comeback, and Tyronn Lue’s players start the match with a 12-2 with a Leonard who allows himself to cover Jaren Jackson Jr. Russell Westbrook imposes a hellish rhythm, and the Clippers widen the gap: 28-12 on a basket from Norman Powell. The gap even reached 20 points after eleven minutes (34-14).
And then, the bench of the Grizzlies, as often this season, will wake up the group. First it’s Santi Aldama, then Luke Kennard strikes twice from him, and in four minutes, Memphis has just signed a 22-4! The match is restarted, and Tyronn Lue puts his incumbents into play. It’s too late because the Grizzlies have found their rhythm. They take control of the match by Tyus Jones and the spectacular David Roddy, who drops the poster of the evening, and at the break, Memphis is in front (55-51).
Transparent in the first half, Ja Morant wakes up after returning from the locker room. Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks too, and the Clippers explode in 90 seconds. Time for Memphis to sign an 11-0 to take a 16-point lead (78-62). The Clippers will not recover, and at the start of the 4th quarter, the gap reaches 22 points thanks always to the substitutes of Memphis. On arrival, Memphis won by 14 points (108-94) and remained in the running for 1st place in the Western Conference.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
The return of Norman Powell. Good news for Tyronn Lue since he finds his leader from the bench. Recovered from his shoulder injury, Powell finished top scorer for the Clippers, but he sank like his teammates against Memphis substitutes.
A decisive end to the first quarter. For Taylor Jenkins, the turning point of the match is the 7-0 signed by his players in less than a minute at the end of the first quarter. The Clippers led by 20 points, and it is the Aldama-Bane duo who will restart the game.
A 5th place in danger. The Clippers remain fifth in the West, but the Warriors have returned to their height after their success against Spurs. Kawhi Leonard’s teammates have only one defeat less than the Lakers, 7th. And the two formations face off on Wednesday evening!
TOPS & FLOPS
✅Luke Kennard. The former Clipper hurt his former teammates very badly with 4 award-winning baskets in this second quarter.
✅Desmond bane. The engine of the Grizzlies by its power and its regularity. Very good when he is the first option alongside substitutes.
✅Ivica Zubac. The only Clipper floated, and he deserved to see the ball more often.
⛔Russell Westbrook. After a start of fire, he died with great clumsiness: 2 out of 8 on shots and 5 stray bullets.
⛔Nicholas batum. Zero points for the Frenchman.
THE FOLLOWING
Memphis (49-28) : reception of the Bulls on Sunday.
LA Clippers (41-37) : Reception of the Pelicans tonight in a crucial match.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D= defensive rebound; T = Total Bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
