2012 NBA Playoffs

Memphis, TN

Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and forward Zach Randolph made their presence in Game 5, combining to score 42 points as Memphis extended their first round series with the Los Angeles Clippers 92-80 at FedExForum.

Gasol scored a game-best 23 and Randolph added 19 and 10 boards as Memphis cut the series margin to 3-2.

The Grizz played their grinding and physical style of basketball as they pounded the Clippers in the post, with the tandem of Gasol and Randolph totalling an efficient 56 percent from the field.

Gasol and Randolph provided the muscle and led the bruising battle inside the paint. They combined to score 27 of Memphis' first 36 points in an explosive opening quarter, where the Grizz shot a blistering 71 percent.

The Grizzlies big men dominating presence allowed them to lead by as many as 24 points before the Clippers cut it to six points in the final quarter.

Memphis' 24-point lead came late in the third stanza, when Gasol, who also tallied seven boards and four assists, made a free throw to make it 75-71.

Rudy Gay chipped in 14 points and five rebounds for the Grizzlies, who launched an 11-5 spurt to close the game and send this series back to Los Angeles for Game 6 Friday.

It was a painful setback for the Clippers, as Chris Paul suffered a strained right hip flexor and a jammed middle finger.

The four-time All-Star Paul, who finished with 19 points, hurt his right middle finger in the first quarter and added the hip flexor injury in the fourth stanza.

In Game 4, Paul almost single-handedly gave the Clippers a chance to close out this series in Game 5 by netting eight of his 27 points in overtime en route to a 101-97 win.

Meanwhile, Blake Griffin, who finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes of play for his first playoff double-double, appeared to injure his left knee in the third quarter, but remained in the contest.

Griffin went down with 1:31 left in the third after a hard foul by Gasol. The Clippers center did not score in the final frame.

It was the same knee that cost Griffin his first season the NBA. Griffin reportedly will get an MRI Thursday morning.

Paul will also be evaluated in Los Angeles.

 

 

Grizzlies Top Clippers to Force Game 6