Los Angeles, CA

Chris Paul sank a jumper with one-tenths of a second remaining to lift the Los Angeles Clippers to a 93-91 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies and a 2-0 cushion in their Western Conference first-round series at Staples Center.

Paul received a pass from Jamal Crawford with eight seconds left and worked his way past the defense of Tony Allen for the game-winning shot as the Clippers clinched their ninth straight win dating back to the regular season.

Paul finished with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting and nine assists, Blake Griffin had 21 points and eight caroms while Crawford had 15 for the Clippers.

The Clippers have a chance to make it a 3-0 lead when the series shifts to Memphis for Game 3 on Thursday.

The Clippers spoiled Mike Conley's career night as he scored a career playoff-best 28 points, with 10 coming in the final period to lead the Grizzlies' comeback in the fourth period.

Marc Gasol recorded 17 points and seven boards, Allen had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Zach Randolph scored 13 points and grabbed eight caroms for the Grizzlies, who matched the Clippers' 38 boards after being outrebounded in Game 1.

The Clippers have a chance to make it a 3-0 lead when the series shifts to Memphis for Game 3 on Thursday.

Bledsoe scored five and Matt Barnes contributed four in an 8-0 blast to start the fourth, giving the Clippers an 83-71 advantage with 9:49 to play.

However, Conley sank three foul shots and a 20-foot jumper to cut the Clippers' lead to 76-83.

After a dunk by Griffin to make it 85-76, the Memphis outscored the Clippers, 13-4, to tie the game at 89 with 1:37 left.

Paul then pushed the Clippers ahead with a 15-foot jumper but Conley found Gasol n the other end for an uncontested dunk to tie the game at 93.

 

Chris Paul gave an incredibly clutch performance, hitting a game winning buzzer beater to give the Clippers a 2-0 lead over Memphis in the first round of playoffs

Chris Paul Jumper Carries Clippers to 2-0 Series Lead

 

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