National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
L.A. Clippers 101, Memphis 97
When: 10:30 PM ET, Monday, May 7, 2012
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #47 Bennie Adams, #24 Mike Callahan, #19 James Capers, #31 Scott Wall
Attendance: 19167


CLIPPERS 101, GRIZZLIES 97 (OT): Chris Paul scored eight of his 27 points in overtime and host Los Angeles seized a commanding 3-1 series lead over Memphis.

Blake Griffin added 30 points, including a big three-point play in the extra session, to help the Clippers prevail after blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.

Paul also had nine rebounds and seven assists for Los Angeles, which can wrap up the series Wednesday night in Game 5 at Memphis.

Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley had 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and hit a layup to cut a six-point overtime deficit to 99-97 with 10.1 seconds to play.

Mo Williams hit a pair of free throws with 7.2 seconds left to seal it for the Clippers, who have won their three games by a total of six points.

Rudy Gay bounced back from a dismal first half to score 23 points for the Grizzlies, who erased a 10-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes of regulation.

After Memphis rallied to take a 72-71 lead early in the fourth, the Clippers used an 11-0 burst, getting a conventional three-point play from Griffin and 3-pointers from Nick Young and Williams to match their biggest lead at 82-72 with 5:16 to play.

The Grizzlies stormed back as Gay scored eight points in a 13-3 run to knot it at 85-85 with 35.5 seconds left.

Paul drove the lane for a layup to put Los Angeles back on top with 26.9 seconds to go, but Zach Randolph hit a pair of tying free throws six seconds later and Paul was unable to get off a last shot.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Clippers carried a 69-64 lead into the fourth quarter - the first time in the series they were not trailing after three. ...Memphis had an 18-0 edge in second-chance points in regulation, but Los Angeles got a pair of decisive second-chance baskets in overtime. ... The Clippers had history on their side. In their postseason history, they have won all eight Game 4 matchups. ... Randolph was slapped with a technical foul for chest-bumping Griffin after fouling him late in the second quarter.

Top Game Performances
 
Memphis   L.A. Clippers
Mike Conley 25 Scoring Blake Griffin 30
Mike Conley 8 Assists Blake Griffin 7
Zach Randolph 9 Rebounds Chris Paul 9
Marc Gasol 6 Free Throws Made Blake Griffin 10
Mike Conley 1 Steals Reggie Evans 2
Marc Gasol 3 Blocks DeAndre Jordan 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Memphis 97 43.4 4-13 21-27 18 47 4 2 17
L.A. Clippers 101 44.7 5-16 28-40 18 36 8 8 12
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Clippers will play their next game on the road against Memphis. The Clippers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Memphis will play their next game at home against L.A. Clippers. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.