I'm awake at 10 AM to watch Game 7 of the Clippers-Grizzlies series on TV and, more importantly, to live-blog it. For anyone who doesn't know what that means, I basically sit down with my computer and type out my thoughts as the game plays. Below are my thoughts and a summary of how the game went. I'm hoping to do a couple more of these for important games if my schedule allows. Its the last game of Round 1 and is the deciding game between two teams who have provided us with an extremely exciting series. its 10:05 AM and the players are lining up for the tipoff, so here we go!
First Quarter
11:00. The commentator says about Zach Randolph "The bigger the game the better he is". Well then I'm looking for a 20-20 game from him today then.
10:36. Our first points of the game come from two Caron Butler free throws. Some ugly shots coming in the first two minutes here.
10:14. Tony Allen fouled on a pull-up jumper at the foul line. The foul is called on Griffin, who was 5 feet away at the time. Allen makes one of two.
9:35. Tony Allen steals the ball, runs full-court, and lays it in for the first field goal of the game.
8:50. Gasol and Randolph aren't giving anything the Griffin. He's been blocked and stripped on his first two drives to the hoop.
8:17. Tony Allen has 5 points the the Clippers' 4. He has all of Memphis' points. Not the guy I expected to lead the charge for Memphis.
7:50. Both teams are a combined 3 of 17 from the field. Nothing to say here.
7:00. Chris Paul with the crosscourt pass to Foye for the 2. First successful jumper of the game. Followed by Butler barely even getting rim on a 3.
6:25. It's a 6-5 Clippers lead at the first timeout. Stay tuned for more exciting basketball!
We're a combined 4 for 21 from the field so far. Paul and Foye are the only Clippers with field goals, and Tony Allen has all of Memphis' points. Butler and Griffin alone are a combined 0-7. Randolph and Gasol doing a great job containing Griffin so far. Reporters now talking about Griffin's 360 dunk during warmups. What else are they gonna talk about?
6:12. Gasol gets his first bucket. A tip-in off a Conley miss from about 5 feet away.
5:40. Gasol tries to go Dirk Nowitzki on DeAndre Jordan. He turns for the fadeaway from 15 feet, and falls on his back. He also airballed the shot.
4:40. Chris Paul has 4 points and 4 rebounds. We may be seeing a huge game from this guy if his teammates can't get going.
4:15. Chris Paul goes flying down court, takes approximately 5-6 steps as he stumbles into the paints, passes to Griffin, who hits a ridiculous turnaround on Gasol and banks it in. This Memphis crowd is looking nasty today. 12-7 Clippers.
3:37. Griffin hits a jump shot. Looks like one team has something going at least.
3:00. Griffin has missed four put-back dunk attempts. They're not counting on his FGA tally though. He has 2 rebounds in 9 minutes. Randolph's defense is keeping him off the boards at least. Timeout Memphis.
Memphis is now 4 for 17 from the field. We've had one sub so far. OJ Mayo in for Tony Allen, the only guy who could score for the Grizzlies, a few minutes ago. 14-9 Clippers. Commentators showing random facts from the first 6 games of the series. Memphis had 15 more turnovers than LA in Game 5, but still won despite also not making a single 3 all game.
2:12. Speights hits a field goal. Not sure why he's playing when Randolph doesn't look tired at all. 14-11 Clippers.
1:49. Griffin powers inside, but can't get the hoop. Everything is bouncing out for him. Refs are ignoring the whistles already with the big men. Two offensive rebounds for him though.
1:30. Foye stepped out of bounds on a corner 3 during a fast break. That's the kind of stuff the Clippers need to NOT do to survive in the playoffs.
1:04. Caron Butler travels while absorbing 5 fouls on his way to the hoop on a 1-on-3 fast break. Again, Clippers need to stop stupidly screwing up plays.
0:52. Randolph comes back in. Shows how much they need him in this game. Speights played for 90 seconds.
0:32. WIlliams stops midstride and drills a 20 footer. The points in this quarter are coming from unlikely sources. And unlikely shots.
0:00. 16-13 Clippers after the first quarter. We're a combined 13-47 from the field and 0-9 for 3s. I've counted at least 10 bricks off the front of the rim.
Second Quarter
Vinny del Negro says "We gotta get the ball on the ground. I don't like turnovers. They don't help us." Really? You don't say.
11:30. Randolph with the turnaround jumper over Griffin and hits it. He's 2 for 5 now with 3 rebounds.
10:55. Memphis takes the lead again with two free throws from Randolph. 17-16 Memphis.
10:20. Nick Young tries to go between his legs and fails. Twice. He gets bailed out by a dubious foul call on Conley though.
9:50. It was casually mentioned that there has been 20 technical fouls in the first 6 games of this series. I'm guessing more than a couple of those were on Griffin and Del Negro.
9:30. Nick Young for 3. We're a combined 1-10 from downtown now. 19-17 Clippers.
9:00. Nick Young gets fouled. Timeout Clippers.
Quincy Pondexter played five minutes in the first quarter. Never even heard of him before. He's played more minutes than Tony Allen though. Although playing tough defense isn't Memphis' top priority right now so maybe that's ok. For now.
Commentator says "Chris Paul has made it cool to be a Clipper once again." Once again? Was there any other time when being a clipper was cool? I don't think so.
8:00. We're a combined 27% so far. 20-19 Clippers.
7:36. Interference call on Speights. He touched the net when the ball was near the hoop. They're looking for ways to give points away now. And we have a heated argument on this call by our commentators. Its ok though. Nothing else is happening. 22-19 Clippers.
7:00. Gasol enters for Speights. At least something smart is happening. Memphis should just play Gasol and Randolph all 48 minutes if they want to win.
6:40. Paul hits the flying-out-of-bounds corner 3 as the shot clock expires. Paul then hits a foul-line jumper over Mayo. Looks like he's got something going finally. 27-20 Clippers. Paul has 9 points on 4-9 shooting.
5:40. Martin comes flying in from nowhere to tip-in a Butler miss. 29-21 Clippers.
5:00. Paul with the nifty pass to Bledsoe followed by a Gasol hook shot. 31-23 Clippers. The shots are finally falling.
4:03. Gasol spins baseline off Griffin, flips the ball to his right hand, and gets the shot and foul. 33-26 Clippers.
3:47 Griffin misses the hook before Kenyon Martin kicks it out of bounds. Griffin is 2 for 10 so far. Simply can't get anything going.
3:32. We're treated to an obligatory shot of Chauncey Billups of the Clippers' bench during two Memphis free throws. They could really use his experience on the court right now. Too bad.
3:06. Griffin gets pounded by Gasol and falls over saving the ball. He's sucking it up and playing instead of yelling at officials. Good to know he can change his attitude when the game is truly important.
2:32. Gasol and Randolph each with two fouls. Not a problem for now, but if either of them gets another before the half it could be an issue. Griffin hits both free throws. 35-29 Clippers.
2:00. We're treated to a clip of last timeout when Memphis' coach Lionel Hollins told a story about a college friend of his. Because, you know, he's got nothing better to talk about. I think this was supposed to be inspired advice, but the mics didn't pick up his words.
1:45. Gay hits the bank shot after 3 offensive rebounds by Randolph and Haddadi. 35-33 Clippers. The emotions are rising. This game is starting to get really ugly. Won't be surprised if we get a few technicals in the second half. Butler misses two free throws to the delight of the crowd.
1:09. Conley somehow draws a foul 35 feet from the hoop. He makes one of two. The fouls that are being called here are as baffling as the one that aren't being called.
47.1. Gay drives and flips it in with a nice move. "Nice plaaaay from Rudy Gaaaaay. Hey that rhymes. hahaha" is what the commentator has to say.
23.5. Pondexter hits a 3 to make it a one point lead. The crowd is really into it now.
0.0 Paul drives, gets decked by Randolph, misses the shot and goes down. Him, Pondexter, and Randolph are not happy.
"Chris, this game seems physical." is the question/statement from the lady holding the microphone for the mandatory quick interview. Paul seems frustrated and annoyed. "Yeah. Its game 7. Its important." Your halftime interview from ABC everyone!
ABC plays a 30 second commerical/preview/review of Game 7 while playing "Under Pressure" by David Bowie. Magic says "I like Chris Paul. I like their bench. I like Griffin. They need to be better though." great analysis.
One of the most important things for Los Angeles to change is the assist numbers. They have five in the first half and three of them are from Paul. They need more ball movement and that's why they're not doing well.
Third Quarter
12:00. Aaaaaaand we're back! There's a Van Halen song playing over the speakers but I don't know which one. I always love the classic rock music basketball arenas play. During Game 6 at TD Garden, I heard Led Zeppelin playing three different times during timeouts.
10:45. Rudy Gay drives from the right side and banks it in from the left. He's getting in his groove, along with most of the team. Looks like a good second half. 24 minutes to prove you belong in round 2.
10:23. Foye completely wraps up Conley and fouls him at about eight different points as they move through the paint on a fast break while someone trips over Randolph's sprawled body at halfcourt. No foul. Refs are letting this play out until punches are thrown.
9:30. Butler strips Gay when he goes to shoot, drives down the floor with only Gasol in front of him, then stops for a 20 footer that hits the back of the rim. Follows it on the next play with a 10 footer. 43-42 Clippers.
8:48. Gay lays it in with his right hand. He has 13 now. First player in double figures for the Grizzlies.
7:31. Butler drives, pushes Gay's face away with his left hand, and lays it in. 45-44 Clippers. Memphis timeout.
The Clippers would be way better if Griffin and Butler weren't a combined 5 for 20. Also, Gasol and Randolph have a combined 20 and 15.
6:48. Conley and Gay on a 2-on-1 fast break on Foye. They spin Foye's head around in a million directions before laying it in. 48-45 Grizzlies.
5:55. Griffin grabs the ball, goes up to hammer it in with two hands, then flips it under Randolph's hand and banks it in. Great adjustment. Griffin and Randolph is turning into a shoving contest very quickly though.
5:08. Gasol walk into Paul after a foul and yells at him. Paul turns and walks away.
4:57. Tony Allen fakes the 3, then drives in and hammers it home. The emphatic dunk to put Memphis up 3.
4:31. Paul's first free throw hits the front of the rim, bounces up, hits the back rim, and goes in. Defying physics there. 50-49 Grizzlies.
3:45. Randolph has 11 rebounds despite being boxed out on a large number of plays. He's playing incredible even if the statistics don't show it.
3:09. Grizzlies trying as hard as they can the get it in. After 2 tip-ins miss, it goes out of bounds to the Clippers. The tension continues to mount. Legitimately exciting despite everything that's happened so far in this game. Timeout Clippers.
ABC gives us several clips of Griffin and Randolph maiming each other on normal plays. In any other game, both of them would've fouled out in the first half. Not here. Also, we should be reaching the point pretty soon where I start using caps lock to show my excitement.
2:34. Mo Williams for the wide open 2. Gasol follows with the hook. 54-51 Grizzlies.
1:59. Griffin goes straight at the rim, double clutches, slams into Gasol and gets the offensive foul. Both get up looking mad.
1:31. Paul takes the ball up, runs to the 20 foot mark, and drills a jumper. Getting exactly what he wants. 54-53 Memphis.
1:05. Clippers trap Haddadi and then Gay at the out of bounds line before Gay loses it. The tension continues to mount.
0:33. Conley missteps, falls with the ball, takes 4 steps to get up, throws to a wide-open Gasol who misses a 3. Evans gets the rebound and starts swinging his elbows at everything that moves. That doesn't stop Gay and Randolph from pressing down on him.
0:25. Paul with his first assist of the second half. He has 17 points and 8 rebounds. 55-54 Clippers.
0:02. Gay gets to about 15 feet away, fakes, ducks under Butler, and flips it off the glass as the shot clock expires. Crowd goes crazy.
0:00. Paul just BAAAAAARELY misses a 70 foot heave at the buzzer. 56-55 Grizzlies.
Fourth Quarter
11:08. Young hits a corner 3 with the assist from Chris Paul. Just like the Game 1 comeback. Clippers up 60-56. Grizzlies timeout.
10:50. Bledsoe steals the ball, tears down the court, loses it and dribbles the ball off his foot and out of bounds. Refs give it back to the Clippers.
10:14. Dante Cunningham with the offensive rebound and reverse layup. Crowd goes crazy for anything now.
10:00. Young hits a long two and then follows it next possession by barely missing a corner 3. Memphis has to defend him every possession now.
9:27. Clippers have all bench players on the court right now. Vinny apparently not feeling the urgency.
9:05. Bledsoe lays it in on the fast break. 64-58 Clippers. Largest lead of the second half.
8:41. Nick Young catches it at the corner, gets Conley to jump, drives in and misses the ridiculous reverse layup. Evans tips it in to give the Clippers an 8 point lead. Memphis feeling the urgency now. Memphis timeout.
We've now had 21 offensive rebounds in the game. That's crazy!
8:24. Randolph leans in and hooks it in. Clutch shot to keep the game from falling away. Crowd starting to sound desperate now.
7:48. Bledsoe throws it to Martin who gets down ahead of everyone for the easy dunk. Clippers' bench playing great right now against Memphis' starters. Randolph and Gay sent to the bench. Not sure what's going on now.
7:03. Mo Williams with the WIIIIIDE OPEN three. 71-61 Clippers. Largest lead of the game.
6:16. Gasol catches it under the hoop and gets hit in the neck and chest by Evans. Chris Paul finally going back in the game. Gasol hits both free throws. 71-63 Clippers.
6:01.Gasol goes for a defensive rebound, lets it slip from his fingers, and it nearly goes in the Clippers' hoop. Almost a huge mistake there for Memphis.
5:17. Team defense keeps Gasol out of the post. Paul strips it down low. Desperation starting to take over for Memphis.
4:27. Shot clock violation called on the Clippers. Paul trapped with nowhere to go and couldn't put it up in time. Why is Randolph not playing right now?
4:05. Gasol with the Dirk-like fadeaway. Keeping his team in the game. 71-65 Clippers. Timeout Clippers.
Marc Gasol is the only Memphis player to score in the last four minutes. He's had three free throws and a field goal. Carrying his team right now. More than anything, they need Randolph in the game and for Gay to make some shots.
3:26. Nick Young catches it with three seconds to shoot and barely gets it off before Allen and Gay bowl him over. He hits both free throws to put the Clippers up by eight.
3:10. Gasol slips past Griffin, and SLAMS it down. Six point game. All credit to Gasol for keeping this close.
2:26. Conley drives, loses it, barely stays inbounds, and SOMEHOW GETS A FOUL CALLED. His ballhandling has been a serious issue today. All 20 of the Clippers' points has come from their bench. Conley hits both free throws to make it a six point game again.
1:47. We saw Gasol go to the hoop, lose it, and witness about half the players on the court crash to the floor going for the ball. Tony Allen fouls out of the game. Not good. Looks like Memphis could be done.
1:35. Most incredible sequence ever. Paul loses the ball. Mayo steals it, and none of the Memphis players bother to follow him. He misses the shot and Paul rebounds it.
1:01. Kenyon Martin goes to the line for the Clippers with a minute left. He makes one of two. 76-69 Clippers.
44.4 Mayo gets his three blocked by Martin, gets it back, and falls on his back throwing it at the hoop while drawing the foul. Memphis has not hit a three all game. They're 0 for 10. Mayo bricks the first free throw and makes the second. Six point game.
0:30. Bledsoe gets knocked to the floor while officials look the other way, Randolph misses a three and Pondexter makes one of two free throws. Not sure why Gasol and Randolph have been trusted to make big threes for their team. Memphis looks about finished here.
ABC shows a few statistics showing what a crappy team the Clippers franchise has been.
22.7. Mayo takes a three that barely hits anything, and Paul grabs the rebound before getting fouled. He hits both to put the Clippers up 82-71. Not sure how they got 82 points in this game.
12.1. Gasol is fouled getting a rebound, and ABC cuts to Griffin and Vinny celebrating instead of showing meaningless free throws.
0:10. Paul grabs the rebound and dribbles out the clock. Paul, Griffin and teammates rejoice on the court while fans push each other out of the way to leave the arena. Randolph walks away glumly while Gasol stands by looking appalled. He probably still can't believe how bad his team played. Poor guy.
0:00. Well, its the end of a less spectacular game than I expected. Chris Paul finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. Griffin had eight points and four rebounds, and a not so threatening Clippers bench outplayed Memphis' starts down the stretch to win the game. Please remember though that Marc Gasol played great. He had 19 points and five rebounds and carried his team through the last quarter. The Clippers could've won by 20+ if it wasn't for him. Randolph got 12 rebounds, but shot three of 12 on his way to nine points.
It was a well-contested, ugly and physical game through three quarters before the Clippers came away with it. There won't be many highlights, and no dunks from Griffin, but a solid team effort has carried the Clippers to a second round matchup against a Spurs team that they have no chance against. Although its not like the Spurs were going to give Memphis any chance after what happened last year.
Wel, thanks for reading! This probably took you a lot less time than watching the game, and probably wasn't any less boring. See you all in round 2!
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