2012 NBA Playoffs

Memphis, TN

With the spotlight always on the tandem of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the bench players of the Los Angeles Clippers are often overlooked.

The reserves took center stage as they helped the Clippers edge the Memphis Grizzlies, 82-72 in Game 7 and advance to the Western Conference semifinals against the dangerous and experienced San Antonio Spurs.

Nick Young had 13 points and Kenyon Martin scored 11 points to lead the Clippers' bench outscored the Grizzlies' reserves, 41-11.

"That's what we do, the bench comes in and we try to change the pace of the game and change the momentum of the game. We come in and get stops and just run," said Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, who had eight points off the bench.

The bench's outstanding play also helped offset a bad night from Blake Griffin, who was limited to just eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Chris Paul was the only Los Angeles starter in double figures with 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting while Caron Butler had eight points and Randy Foye had six markers for the Clippers.

Martin also had 10 rebounds while Reggie Evans contributed nine caroms for the Clippers, who won a playoff series for just a third time in 41 years and their second since moving their address to Los Angeles.

The Clippers also avoided becoming the ninth NBA team to blow a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven series.

The Clippers-Spurs showdown will begin on Tuesday in San Antonio.

Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol scored 19 apiece for Memphis while Zach Randolph had a game-high 12 rebounds for Memphis.

Martin scored seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and sparked an 11-2 run with a jumper and a follow-up to give the Clippers more breathing room, 66-58.

Mo Williams gave the Clippers their biggest lead with a three-pointer, 71-61, with seven minutes to play. Los Angeles capped the victory with nine free throws in the final three minutes.

The Spurs have a 2-1 advantage over the Clippers in their three meetings this season.

San Antonio defeated the Clippers, 115-90, on December 28, 2011, with Manu Ginobili leading the way with 24 points.

On February 18, 2012, Tony Parker scored 30 points and had 10 assists as the Spurs repeated over the Clippers, 103-100.

The Clippers avoided a series sweep with a 120-108 win behind Chris Paul's 36 points and 11 assists last March 9.

 

 

Clippers Tame Grizzlies in Game 7