Game 18 Recap: 600 for Dunleavy

LA CLIPPERS 98 defeat MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 88

GRIZZLIES     28     30     23      7 88

CLIPPERS       21     22      22      33        98

Mike Dunleavy has been a head coach in the NBA for 17 years and was named Coach of the Year with his stint as the Portland JailTrailblazers in ‘99 (* strike shortened season… right Phil?). But this victory to nab his 600th coaching win must have been a little sweeter for the way the Clippers finally showed up in the 4th quarter and shut down the Grizzlies. Down big by half time, the Grizzlies continued to hold the lead at 16 points going into the 4th quarter. The Clippers were down by as much as 22 points when Eric Gordon and Al Thorton decided to step it up on both ends of the floor. Gordon finished with a team high 29 points and Thorton chipped in 7 of his 18 points in the final run. Marcus Camby had a solid 14 points and 14 rebounds. Baron Davis added 14 points. Chris Kaman, who has been playing at a declining rate since being named NBA Western Player of the Week, was in foul trouble and only scored 8 points but did pull down 11 rebounds.

Although the Grizzlies’ bench outscored the Clipper’s bench 23-15, the Clippers killed them on the boards 47-30. Rudy Gay was the only Memphis player to pull down more than 6 boards. Gay finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Marc Gasol led the Grizz with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. They were rolling along scoring enough to break the century mark but a power outage in the 4th was their downfall. The Grizzlies missed open jumpers, layups and free throws to score a paltry 7 points in the 4th. 7 points as a team! Al Thorton outscored the Grizzlies in the period. Those 7 points were the lowest ever in a quarter for a Clipper opponent.

The Clippers are 5-5 the past 10 games and on a 2 game win streak. It’s a good way to start the 6 game home stand where they will still face the Rockets, Pacers, Magic, Spurs and Wizards. Get your tickets now and support your Clippers!

Tags: Al Thorton, Baron Davis, Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon, Marc Gasol, Marcus Camby, Mike Dunleavy, Rudy Gay