MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points, Darius Garland scored 11 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 123-120 on Saturday night.
Benedict Maturin had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Derrick Jones Jr. added 16 points, and the Clippers won for the fourth time in five games despite a season-low 3-point shooting. Los Angeles shot 4 of 17 from the field.
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Ty Jerome led Memphis with 23 points and seven assists. Taylor Hendricks scored 18 points and Cedric Coward added 15 as Memphis lost its third straight.
The game was close throughout, with the Grizzlies leading 118-117 with about two minutes left. Leonard and Jordan Miller each made two free throws to give Los Angeles a 121-118 lead. Mathurin’s two free throws with 4.4 seconds left sealed the win, and Jerome missed on Memphis’ final three-point attempt.
The Clippers were 31-32 after finishing 15 games below .500 earlier this season. They are ninth in the Western Conference and in contention for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ season has been hampered by injuries. There are six rotation players on the injured list for Saturday’s game, including guard Ja Morant, who missed his 20th game at UCL with a sprained left elbow.
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Before the game, Morant said he wanted to stay with the team and even mentioned the Grizzlies logo tattooed on his back as a sign of his loyalty.
Memphis got off to a fast start on the second night of a back-to-back, opening a 19-point lead against the Clippers.
This advantage is short-lived. Memphis didn’t have a good shooting feel and committed 10 turnovers in the second quarter. Leonard scored 15 points, and the Clippers trailed by one point 59-58 at halftime.
Next
Clippers: Host the Knicks on Monday.
Grizzlies: Play against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.
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