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Russell Westbrook leads short-handed Clippers past Grizzlies

March 30, 2023

Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots as Memphis Grizzlies forwards Jake LaRavia, left, and Santi Aldama defend during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant handles the ball as Clippers guard Eric Gordon, left, defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard drives ahead of Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, right, shoots over Clippers guard Terance Mann during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook handles the ball during the first half of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac, left, defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant hangs from the rim after a dunk during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant lies on the court during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook points out a heckling fan to the referees during the first half of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shoots ahead of Clippers center Ivica Zubac, right, during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks drives against Clippers center Mason Plumlee during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks (24) shoots ahead of Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks drives past Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks shoots between Clippers forward Robert Covington, right, and center Ivica Zubac during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks shoots as Clippers center Ivica Zubac defends during the first half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant dunks during the first half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard defends during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Referees separate players during the second half of a game between the Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook looks to pass during the second half of their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts to a play during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Norman Powell shoots ahead as Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama defends during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, standing, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and Clippers forward Robert Covington, center, struggle for control of the ball during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant celebrates during the second half of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks defends against Clippers guard Russell Westbrook during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Clippers guard Russell Westbrook drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during the second half on Wednesday night in Memphis, Tenn. Westbrook had 36 points and 10 assists to lead the short-handed Clippers to a 141-132 win. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

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By CLAY BAILEY The Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Russell Westbrook might not be playing at the league MVP level he did earlier in his career, but he can still carry a team at times.

Westbrook had a season-high 36 points, Robert Covington had a season-best 27 points and the short-handed Clippers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 141-132, on Wednesday night to open a two-game set.

The teams – both playing without several rotation players on Wednesday – will meet again Friday night in Memphis.

Westbrook made five 3-pointers without a miss and added 10 assists. Covington was 9 for 10 from the field, making all seven of his 3-point attempts.

Bones Hyland scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Clippers pulled away in the final seven minutes.

“Just being composed,” Westbrook said about the difference down the stretch. “As a point guard, I was taught the last five or six minutes of the game were very important. Getting stops, getting good shots. We did a good job of executing down the stretch.”

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 36 points and nine assists. Dillon Brooks added 30 points as all five Memphis starters finished in double figures. The Grizzlies had won seven in a row and 12 straight at home.

While the Clippers were already without All-Star Paul George as he recovers from a right knee sprain, two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard was a late scratch for personal reasons.

The Grizzlies sat a number of key players on the second night of a back-to-back set. Morant was back after sitting out against Orlando on Tuesday night, but Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones and reserve John Konchar were declared out with various ailments.

The game built in intensity and the teams got into a scrum near midcourt in the third quarter with Brooks and Covington barking at each other. Throughout the game, coaches were yelling at officials, players were mouthing off to each other and the physical play put everybody on edge.

For the Clippers, the 3-point line was a huge benefit. They made 22 of 37 from behind the arc, fueled by Covington and Westbrook making all of their attempts.

“I think this is the first time in my career that I went perfect from the 3-point line,” said Covington, in his 10th season.

The shooting percentage from outside the arc – just under 60% – was well above the Clippers’ season average of 38%.

“Obviously, they made a lot of shots,” said Memphis forward Santi Aldama, who finished with 17 points on 6-of-7 from the field, adding: “The looks we gave them were very easy for the most part. They just got so many free looks.”

The win left the Clippers (41-36) in fifth place in the Western Conference, one game ahead of idle Golden State (40-37). But the way the middle of the conference is jumbled, each game is important.

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“It’s going to be tight,” Covington said of the playoff spots. “The West from four through 12 or 13 is like a three-game gap, something like that? So, anything can happen. That’s why these last five or six games for us are very important.”

Clippers: In addition to George and Leonard, Marcus Morris Sr. sat out his second game under the health and safety protocols. … Terance Mann started in Leonard’s spot. … Guard Norman Powell returned after missing 11 games with left shoulder subluxation and scored 13 points.

Grizzlies: Center Steven Adams missed his 30th game with a PCL sprain in his right knee. … Former Clipper Luke Kennard, obtained in a trade-deadline deal, started his 12th game of the season, but his first in a Memphis uniform. He finished with 12 points. … Memphis’ last home loss was on Feb. 5 to Toronto.

Russ finished with 36PTS tonight and caught up with @BSieman & @jimjackson419 @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/pz7vGAl6M2

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

Ty Lue speaks with the media following the W against the Grizzlies@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/Y7R1Ul0Clj

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

https://t.co/UtRiLn1tFl pic.twitter.com/cfV2Lst6iw

— NBA (@NBA) March 30, 2023

RoCo @LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/YScFHGLy2N

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

What a move@LAClippers | #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/GLrLZhM6sv

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) March 30, 2023

Orange County Register

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Russell Westbrook leads short-handed Clippers past Grizzlies

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