The Grizzlies return from the NBA All-Star break on Friday night when they host the LA Clippers at FedExForum.
Memphis (20-36) won two games in a row just before the break, beating the Rockets and Bucks in a pair of upsets at home. While the Grizzlies are still without a slew of injured players, they’re likely have Jaren Jackson Jr. back after he missed the win over the Bucks. Jake LaRavia, who has missed more than a month, is also expected to return Friday.
The Grizzlies have struggled with injuries this season and will still be without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart for an extended period of time. Morant is out for the season, while Bane and Smart are both out for at least three more weeks.
Those injuries have led to breakout campaigns for Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson, both of whom played major roles in the two wins before the All-Star break.
The Clippers (36-18) played on Thursday night in Oklahoma City and lost to the Thunder.
Grizzlies vs. Clippers live score updates
Final: Clippers 101, Grizzlies 95
The Grizzlies hung in there until the final minute, but their offense stalled down the stretch and James Harden hit a 3-pointer to help put the game out of reach. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 29 points to lead the Grizzlies, while GG Jackson added 11 and Ziaire Williams had 10.
Grizzlies hold lead heading down the stretch
Memphis is up by two points with just over four minutes to go. The Grizzlies entered the game as 9.5 points underdogs but now have a chance to earn another upset win at FedExForum.
End of third quarter: Clippers 79, Grizzlies 75
Kawhi Leonard hit a buzzer-beater 3-pointer to extend the Clippers’ lead, and he’s up to 20 points on the night. He also has seven rebounds and four assists. The Grizzlies are still in the game, but they’ll need to find a way to defend Leonard in the fourth quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr. bringing it
Jackson Jr. has a game-high 21 points and has helped the Grizzlies stay in the lead for most of the quarter.
Halftime: Grizzlies 59, Clippers 53
Memphis gets a lift from its bench
GG Jackson has seven points off the bench, and the Grizzlies have built a five-point lead with 3:02 to play in the first half. Lamar Stevens has had to be Memphis’ backup center, but he’s got four points and five rebounds in seven minutes so far. Stevens is only 6-6 and is going against Mason Plumlee and Ivica Zubac.
End of first quarter: Grizzlies 29, Clippers 29
The Clippers built a lead, but the Grizzlies stayed in it thanks to a strong first-quarter performance from Jaren Jackson Jr. He has 10 points, two rebounds and two assists to pace the Grizzlies in the early-going.
Terrance Mann gives the Clippers an early lead
Mann scored 10 points in less than five minutes, but then he picked up his second foul and had to go to the bench. The Clippers have a 16-14 lead at the first timeout.
What channel is Grizzlies vs. Clippers on today?
- TV: Bally Sports Southeast
- Streaming: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)
Grizzlies vs. Clippers start time
- Date: Friday, Feb. 23
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
Grizzlies vs. Clippers betting odds
- SPREAD: Clippers -9
- MONEY LINE: Clippers -410, Grizzlies +320
- OVER/UNDER: 221.5
First appeared on www.commercialappeal.com