Grizzlies dominate inside to beat Clippers, 94-82

The Memphis bench has been missing in action through the first two games against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Quincy Pondexter scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half, including eight in the final stanza, and the Grizzlies beat the Clippers 94-82 on Thursday night to pull within 2-1 in this Western Conference first-round series.

The Clippers go very deep with their bench and have outscored Memphis through the first two games, including a 30-11 edge in Game 2.

Zach Randolph scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds after being limited both on the boards and by foul trouble in Los Angeles to start this series.

The Grizzlies snapped the Clippers’ nine-game winning streak by outre bounding and dominating on second-chance points, the same things Los Angeles did so well on its home court to start the series in beating Memphis at its own style.

The Clippers had beaten the Grizzlies three straight in Memphis, including a Game 7 win in the first round a year ago.

That gave the Grizzlies a 22-4 edge in second-chance points, which was similar to what the Clippers did to Memphis in Game 1 when they held a 25-5 advantage.

The Clippers last led 10-8 in the first quarter before the Grizzlies took control with Randolph hitting four of his first five shots and all five free throws for 13 points in the quarter.

Pondexter then scored five points for Memphis as he got the rebound after he missed his second free throw attempt and put it back while being fouled by Barnes.

The Clippers hadn’t lost in Memphis since Game 5 last year in the playoffs and won 24 road games during the regular season.