33-7 Fourth Quarter Puts Clippers Over Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Clippers have won 8 of their 18 games this season, but none have been as impressive as today’s 98-88 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Clips entered the 4th quarter trailing Memphis by 16 points, but Al Thornton and Eric Gordon each scored 10 points in the final 12 minutes to lead Los Angeles to a 33-point quarter.  L.A. exhibited a suffocating defense as well, limiting the Grizzlies to 7 points.

This battle of teams labeled as long-term underachievers was punctuated by organizations that haven’t been noted for their precise execution down the stretches of ball games.  And with the Grizzlies in firm position to secure their seventh win of the season, the Clippers’ display of aggression on both sides of the ball had to encourage coach Mike Dunleavy.

”I’m very proud of the guys. Our guys stayed with it and never gave up. All of a sudden, we came together and Eric Gordon got into that attack mode. We did the things we needed to do.”

Gordon's dynamic offensive ability is just what the Clips need.

Speaking of Gordon, he’s the main cog in a L.A. youth moment that has shown glimpses of potential.  A one-year stud at Indiana, Gordon has shown that he has unlimited range and creative penetration ability.  Al Thornton gives the Clips a player with both athleticism and versatility wrapped in one package.  Center Chris Kaman (now a veteran at 27 years old) came into the game averaging 20 points per game.  Deandre Jordan and Sebastian Telfair provide consistent energy off of the bench at key positions.

It’s games like this that indicate that Memphis remains a team in trouble.  While they have dynamic talents like Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo on their roster, they have yet to begin stepping in the right direction.  After the nightmarish Allen Iverson debacle, they’ve moved on to sign veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley.  Even though Tinsley is much more of a conventional point guard than Iverson, his stubbornness has hurt his former teams and we’ll have to see if the Grizzlies become adversely affected.

The L.A. Clippers were led in the game by Eric Gordon’s 29 points.  Here’s Marcus Camby on Gordon’s potential:

”Eric’s a phenomenal player. I think he has the potential to be a special player like the LeBrons, the Kobes and the Carmelos. You’ll be mentioning Eric Gordon ’s name for a long time.”

And that would be a first for the Clippers.  A lottery pick that actually pans out.