The Los Angeles Clippers squandered an eight point fourth quarter lead and the home court advantage they had taken from the Memphis Grizzlies by losing 90-88 Friday night. The series now heads back to Memphis for a decisive, winner take all game 7.
The Clippers had clawed back from a 9 point, first half deficit to lead in the fourth quarter. A hobbled Chris Paul, obviously bothered by an injured hip flexor, turned the ball over twice in the waning minutes and Randy Foye stepped incomprehensibly out of bounds on a free throw rebound to hand the Grizzlies the victory.
Although Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph were key to Memphis' comeback down the stretch, the Grizzlies were helped in their endeavor by referee Marc Davis. Earlier in the game, he inexplicably called a technical foul on Reggie Evans for high-fiving Blake Griffin. In the final minute, he again put his fingerprints on the game by calling Griffin for a phantom foul on Tony Allen.
Make no mistake, the Clippers blew this game, and possibly a chance to move on in the playoffs, all by themselves. Having to keep one eye on an overzealous, recovering from a chest-bump, pathological zebra while trying to defend their opponents did not help them maximize their efforts, either.
Sunday will decide whether it will be more of Lob City or an epitaph of Flop City.
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