LOS ANGELES – Without Paul George and Patrick Beverley in the line-up, Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies took full advantage and embarrassed the Los Angeles Clippers 140-114 on Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
Jae Crowder was on a mission to help the Grizzlies get their seventh consecutive road win as he finished with 27 points.
“We’ve had big leads this year and lost them, so we stayed aggressive and continued to contest the rim,” Crowder said.
The Grizzlies controlled the tempo from the opening tip, as rookie Ja Morant finished with 22 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. added 24 points in the win.
The Clippers went on a run in the fourth quarter thanks to Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams who scored buckets that brought the deficit within 14 points. However Jackson went on offensive onslaught for Memphis that allowed the huge win.
Montrezl Harrell led all scorers with 28 points, 9 rebounds on 11-for-16 shooting from the field. Harrell was livid about the loss and explained how the team played.
“You come in and no matter what time the game is, no matter what’s going on, you’re just thinking you’re gonna walk on the floor and beat another professional NBA basketball team, you’re kidding yourself,” Harrell said. “It’s just not gonna happen!”
Kawhi Leonard and Lou Williams finished with 24 points, and the Clippers now sit fourth in the Western Conference at 25-12.
The Clippers will look to rebound back into the win column against the New York Knicks, Sunday at 12:30PM PT at Staples Center.
