Caption:LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 12: Xavier Munford #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes for a layup against Paul Pierce #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the basketball game against Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center April 12, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
Chris Paul snagged 12 points and 13 assists to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 110-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center in L.A. on Tuesday night, just one day before the end of the NBA’s regular season.
The Grizzlies, who lost their third straight game and nine of the last 10 outings, have now dropped to seventh in the Western Conference, between the Dallas Mavericks (6th) and the Houston Rockets (8th). They will finish off the season on Wednesday night by visiting the Golden State Warriors, who are going for their league-record 73rd victory.
“Yeah, the emotional tank is a little bit empty right now,” Memphis Coach David Joerger stated.
“You also know that sitting out there 24 hours you’ve got a chance to be the answer on every Trivial Pursuit card for the next 75 years. We’ll see what we’re going to do with that tomorrow.”
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Austin Rivers scored 14 points for the Clippers, who shot 55 percent and outscored Memphis 22-6 in fast-break points as they earned their sixth straight win and 10th win in the last 11 games.
“You can see how focused we have been,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “We are starting to take away individual strengths. Our talk is better. I love the way we’re playing defense right now.”
The Clippers led the entire game, and took control with an 18-5 run in the second quarter, opening a 54-35 lead on Green’s lay-in with 3:27 left in the half. Los Angeles led 61-43 at the half.
Here’s what the playoff picture looks like with just one day left in the regular season:
The sixth-place finisher in the Western Conference opens the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The seventh-place finisher will meet the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Clippers will in turn face the winner of the Dallas Mavericks/Portland Trail Blazers matchup, while the Warriors would face the winner of the Rockets/Utah Jazz matchup.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 12: Xavier Munford #14 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes for a layup against Paul Pierce #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of the basketball game against Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center April 12, 2016, in Los Angeles, California.
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