Zach Randolph Finishes With 26 Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists & Steals In Grizzlies Big Victory Over Los Angeles Clippers.
After a sweep in last year’s Western Conference Finals to the San Antonito Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies have had a mediocre season so far playing .500 basketball. Following the exit of Lionel Hollins in the off-season and hiring of new head coach David Joerger, Memphis has still been trying to find themselves.
With new addition Kosta Koufos and the return of Mike Miller to the team, they’ve been implementing a new system offensively and defensively to avoid a repeat of last year. Much like their playoff series in the last two consecutive years, tempers flared late in the first quarter with an ejection of Tony Allen. Chris Paul was driving to the rim past Jerryd Bayless and came into conact with Allen first swiping his face, then an added bicycle kick to add on to the foul. Initial action didn’t show Allen doing harm; but after looking at replays, refs were forced to give him a Flagrant-2 for an immediate ejection.
Check after the jump for more and video highlights.
The Grizzlies were without their top perimeter defender and still managed to get some key contributions from Kosta Koufos, Mike Miller and Quincy Pondexter at times throughout the game. Both J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford had a horrendous shooting night going a combined 6-24 (2-13 beyond-the-arch), which didn’t help them at all. Blake Griffin had a respectable game showing toughness against the always bullying Grizzlies dropping 23 points and 11 boards, but it wasn’t enough Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Kosta Koufos (5-5) all scoring in double figures. Memphis now improves to 6-5 with a big Wednesday night game up top at the Oracle Arena in Golden State; while the Clippers will be at the Target Center for a duel against the Grizzlies.