Grizzlies at Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers will try to snap their first three-game losing streak of the season and avenge one of their more embarrassing losses when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. After dropping back-to-back road games going into the All-Star break, the Clippers started the final third of the season with a clunker, falling 112-103 to visiting Sacramento on Saturday.
Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points but no other starter had more than eight and Los Angeles never fully recovered from a 13-point first quarter. "We weren't ready to play," Leonard told reporters. "I just didn't feel like we were locked in early, and then it was too late to turn the switch on. We've got to keep getting better. It's about the team peaking at the right time." The Grizzlies lost the first half of their Staples Center visit by dropping a 117-105 decision to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. They ignited a season-high seven-game winning streak with a 140-114 win over the Clippers in Los Angeles on Jan. 4, riding four 20-point scorers.
TIME: 10:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBA TV, FS Southeast, FS Prime Ticket, SN1/E/O/W/P
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (28-28): Memphis came out sluggish in its first game following the break and trailed by 19 at the half against the Lakers, as the starting unit struggled to get much going. Rookie Ja Morant was the lone starter to score in double figures, but he was not thrilled with his 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting to go along with five turnovers. "A lot of defensive guys threw different looks at me," he told reporters. "It's just what they do. I feel like everybody knows those guys are great defenders, but I still try to attack the game the same way. Tonight I missed layups. Missed a wide-open pull-up. Made some shots, and forced some. I could have been better."
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (37-19): Los Angeles lost Saturday night with point guard Reggie Jackson making his debut after a buyout with Detroit, and the veteran finished with eight points in 23 minutes. "That was (Jackson's) first game, and because of our injury issues, we had to start him," coach Doc Rivers told reporters, referring specifically to Paul George (hamstring) and Patrick Beverley (groin). "It is what it is." Marcus Morris Sr., who was acquired at the trade deadline, also started and finished with just six points in 32 minutes in his home debut with the team.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. SF Jae Crowder (27 points), PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (24), SG Dillon Brooks (22) and Morant (22) were the four top scorers for Memphis in its earlier rout of Los Angeles.
2. Clippers SG Lou Williams scored 24 points in 31 minutes Saturday after putting up 35 points in a loss at Boston prior to the break.
3. Jaren Jackson left Friday's loss due to knee soreness and is day-to-day.