2012 NBA Playoffs

The Grizzlies will now battle history as Marc Gasol scored a game-high 23 points to pace Memphis to a 90-88 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night at Staples Center to force a decisive Game 7.

Memphis rallied in the fourth period and staved off elimination by closing Game 6 on a 22-12 burst.

Only eight NBA teams have ever won a seven-game series after trailing 3-1, but the Grizzlies are attempting to become No. 9 thanks to another explosive game from Gasol, who along with forward Zach Randolph, once again made their presence inside.

Gasol, who notched his game-best 23 points on 16 shots, also had nine rebounds and three assists.

Randolph poured in 18 points and 16 rebounds as the Grizzlies rode their rejuvenated frontcourt from the onset. Memphis took a 25-16 lead after the first 12 minutes as Gasol and Randolph worked their inside-out game to perfection on the night.

The determined Grizz team won the rebounding battle 48-32 and outscored Los Angeles 46-40 in the paint.

Those margins were significant in the decisive fourth quarter as Memphis regained control of the contest. The Grizzlies, who had a 13-4 rebounding in the period, took an 85-80 lead behind a 17-4 run after facing an eight-point deficit four minutes into the fourth.

The Grizz also had more blocked shots, 9-6.

In Games 5 and 6, Memphis's big men have combined to total 41.5 points on 53.4 percent shooting from the field and 21 rebounds.

Rudy Gay and Mike Conley scored 13 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who forced Game 7 for the second straight season. In last season's conference semis, Memphis took Oklahoma City to a Game 7, but eventually succumbed to the Thunder.

With their two superstars, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, banged up, the Clippers' second unit of Eric Bledsoe, Reggie Evans, Kenyon Martin, Mo Williams and Nick Young stepped up and kept the Clippers in the contest.

Griffin netted a team-high 17 points despite being limited by sprained left knee. He was ineffective for much of the game and had only four boards.

Paul, who was dealing with strained right hip flexor, had 11 points and seven assists.

 

 

Grizzlies Rout Hobbled Clippers to Force Game 7