The Clippers' winning streak is still intact after beating the Grizzlies 128-108
Los Angeles Clippers #1 James Harden (G) is going up for a left-hand floater in the paint against a Memphis Grizzlies defender trying to block his shot. Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 21, 2025.
LOS ANGELES, CA - The Los Angeles Clippers are on a five-game win streak after they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-108. The Clippers have won eight of their last nine games as they battle for playoff position and look to stay out of the play-in.
“You know everybody else keeps winning that we're jockeying with trying to get to that sixth spot so we have to keep winning too,” Assistant coach Brian Shaw said post-game. Shaw has stepped in for the second consecutive game for the injured Tyron Lue.
James Harden led the Clippers with 30 points. Kawhi Leonard recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Ivica Zubac also scored 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 16 points.
Memphis Grizzlies #13 Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF) is pulling up for a jump shot in front of Los Angeles Clippers #40 Ivica Zubac (C). Photo by Deangelo Scruggs/TGSportstv1 March 21, 2025
The Memphis Grizzlies outscored the Clippers in the first quarter 31-29. Jaren Jackson scored 10 of his 23 points in the period as he led the charge for Memphis. Despite James Harden's 18 first-half points, contributing to his total of 33, the Clippers entered halftime trailing the Grizzlies 66-60.
The Clippers made 20 of 39 field goal attempts (51%) and 9 of 19 three-point attempts (47%), whereas the Grizzlies made 24 of 50 field goals (48%) and 11 of 26 three-pointers (42%) in the first half.
Los Angeles took control of the game as they opened the second half with a 19-5 run and never relinquished the lead. Outscoring the Grizzlies 36-16, the Clippers' defense was pivotal, holding their opponents to a mere 16 points and taking a 96-84 lead to end the third quarter.
“They were able to lock in, in that third quarter you know. They held him to 16 points in that third quarter and then as we started getting stops you know you could see them starting to find the joy again and it started to energize us on the offensive end”, Shaw added post-game about that impressive third quarter.
The Clippers' offense was incredibly efficient in the fourth quarter, shooting 63%. This allowed them to stretch their lead to 20 points, the largest of the game, as time expired.
The win against the Grizzlies is significant for Los Angeles, given the teams are just two games apart in the tight playoff race.
The Clippers now prepare to host the #1 seed in the Western Conference the Oklahoma City Thunder in a highly anticipated matchup that could be a potential #1 versus #8 matchup.