Bold takeaway: A handful of Grizzlies put on a winning performance, turning a tight matchup into a decisive finish while the Clippers stumble late. And this is where the story gets interesting... Memphis secured a 107-98 victory on Friday behind a balanced scoring attack and clutch late defense.
Cedric Coward, a rookie for Memphis, delivered 23 points and 14 rebounds, contributing to five Grizzlies players reaching double figures. Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells each scored 17, with Jaren Jackson Jr. adding 13. Zach Edey contributed 10 points and eight boards, helping Memphis extend its win streak to six of its last eight games.
For Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard led with 24 points and eight rebounds. James Harden pitched in 18 points and seven assists, while John Collins added 16. The Clippers have now dropped nine of their last 11 games.
The game featured multiple lead changes, with the teams tied at 98-all with 3:40 remaining after Harden converted two free throws—his only points of the second half. In total, there were ten lead exchanges and nine ties, and no squad led by more than eight points at any moment.
Memphis finished strong, posting nine consecutive points to close the game. The Grizzlies also beat the Clippers in Los Angeles a week earlier, 112-107.
Upcoming schedules:
- Clippers at Minnesota on Saturday night.
- Grizzlies host Portland on Sunday night.
Source: AP NBA recap
